CHATSWORTH, Calif., Aug. 02, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq: CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, announced today that its C65 series microturbine has become Verband der Elektrotechnik (VDE) and Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW) and Comitato Elettrotecnico Italiano (CEI 0-16) compliant following the implementation of a recent update to the system software.

"Certifying the C65 product was the natural progression following the previous successful certification of the C200 and C1000 Series products to these new interconnection standards," stated Darren R. Jamison, Capstone's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This was a significant effort by our engineering team and financial investment from Capstone," added Mr. Jamison.

The C65 microturbine product was tested and certified in accordance with all applicable European Union (EU) medium voltage grid interconnection standards to meet German and Italian utility grid regulations. Compliance with these standards allows Capstone's C65 microturbines to successfully interconnect and operate in parallel with the grid. Europe has already started to recognize patterns in grid deficiencies, which makes compliance with grid interconnection standards imperative for grid-connected distributed energy resources.

Capstone's C65 microturbine is capable of operating through periods of lower grid voltage, also known as low voltage ride through (LVRT), without any adverse effects on performance or reliability. LVRT capability is important because it ensures that the microturbines can "ride through" the low voltage period. The C65 microturbine also introduced a reactive power capability, which helps with managing inductive and capacitive energy loads by providing reactive power in the case of a grid disturbance.

EU grid interconnection standard requirements for power generation products and plants are based on unit behavior during cases of grid disturbances. When testing the microturbines, each system is subjected to an output faulted condition and must be able to control the voltage for the duration of the fault. This proves that even in undesirable grid conditions, Capstone's C65 microturbine will remain fully operational and work with the grid to regulate power distribution.

"Capstone's C65 microturbine certifying to EU medium voltage grid interconnection standards further solidifies the product's abilities to support the stability of the utility grid and run independently without interruption. One of our competitive advantages is that Capstone products are certified to meet the most stringent energy production standards in the world," said Jim Crouse, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Capstone.

About Capstone Turbine Corporation

Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq: CPST) is the world's leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems and was the first to market commercially viable microturbine energy products. Capstone has shipped approximately 8,800 Capstone Microturbine systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Combined Heat and Power Partnership, which is committed to improving the efficiency of the nation's energy infrastructure and reducing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. A UL-Certified ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 14001:2004 certified company, Capstone is headquartered in the Los Angeles area with sales and/or service centers in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Middle East, China and Singapore.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects," "objective," "intend," "targeted," "plan" and similar phrases. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties described in Capstone's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that may cause Capstone's actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in such statements. Capstone cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Capstone undertakes no obligation, and specifically disclaims any obligation, to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

"Capstone" and "Capstone Microturbine" are registered trademarks of Capstone Turbine Corporation. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.