Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), Capstone’s exclusive distributor for Taiwan, secured the order. The biogas-fueled microturbine will be installed at a large piggery. Pig waste is processed through an anaerobic digester to make methane-based biogas, which is then utilized as a renewable fuel by the Capstone microturbine. The microturbines were selected for the project due to their high reliability, low maintenance requirements, low emissions and use in other biogas applications across the globe.
“We are excited to see our first Signature Series order in Taiwan,” said Jim Crouse, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Capstone Turbine. “AIDC has a successful history of developing the biogas market in Taiwan, and this project further reinforces them as the go-to solution provider for biogas projects in the region. Additionally, with the government’s focus on incentivizing biogas energy projects on these farms, we feel AIDC is well-positioned in the marketplace for further success,” added Mr. Crouse.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), in 2015 Taiwan imported nearly 98% of its energy needs. On February 20, 2017, as part of the government’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported power, Taiwan announced an $84 million government project to promote and subsidize the production of biogas in piggeries with at least 5,000 or more pigs. Pig farming is a major sector of Taiwan’s agricultural industry, with more than 7,600 piggeries nationwide.
“This order is significant as it continues to demonstrate our penetration into the expanding biogas market in Taiwan which is government-backed,” said Darren Jamison, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capstone Turbine. “Last year the biogas or renewable energy market made up about 7% of our total revenue but this year’s market success of our new Signature Series product could drive additional revenue in this key market vertical,” added Mr. Jamison.
