Burleigh Micro Turbine
In November 2000, a Capstone Model 330 micro turbine was installed for testing at Burleigh Elementary School in Brookfield, Wis. The micro turbine produces 28 kW of electricity and operates on natural gas. It operates to reduce the peak electric demand at the school, thereby reducing the facility's monthly electric bill. The original Capstone unit was unreliable and was replaced in October 2001. We have had a number of problems with the new Capstone unit. The inverter has been replaced twice, the battery and fuel compressor each once. Work was done under warranty. This past summer the fuel compressor failed and was replaced. The parts were furnished by Capstone but the labor was at our expense. The unit operated well for two months but failed again due to fuel related equipment problems. The unit will be retired by the end of 2004.