Capstone Turbine Corporation, manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, has announced they're partnering with CalMotors, maker of traction drive systems, to offer a full line of turbine-powered Hybrid Electric Drive Solutions. The two companies plan to produce systems for small-to-mid-size automobiles (like the CMT-380 hybrid-electric sports car, maybe?) all the way up to Class 8 tractor trailer trucks and even marine applications. Darren Jamison, Capstone President and CEO, says the partnership will give Capstone an entry point into the growing hybrid electric vehicle market. The CalMotors agreement covers a wide range of traction motors, from 70kW models to more than 300kW. This should give the two companies a wide net to cast into the new and retrofit hybrid market says Jim Crouse, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Capstone:
Jamison added:Our new Capstone Drive Solution offering should open a lot of opportunities for electric drive systems where our ultra-low emissions and high efficiency have an advantage over more traditional prime movers.
Hit the jump to read the full press release. Special thanks to Roy B. for sending this in!There has been strong growth in electric drive systems for vehicles, and national and state governments are supporting technologies that can deliver higher performance at lower cost. Capstone is now in a good position to pursue the incentives and funding for these types of applications.
[Source: Capstone]
PRESS RELEASE
Capstone to Offer a Full Line of Hybrid Electric Drive Solutions
Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, announced today that it will now offer a full line of Hybrid Electric Drive Solutions and has entered into a supply agreement with CalMotors for mobile hardened components to serve the growing hybrid electric drive market. Under the supply agreement, CalMotors will provide inverter drives and traction motors to create a complete Capstone Drive Solutions system, including vehicle power control. The inverters and traction motors are mobile hardened versions of the successful Parker Hannifin industrial motor drive products.
"This relationship with CalMotors provides Capstone with the products and application expertise to increase our presence in the expanding series hybrid electric drive market," said Darren Jamison, Capstone President and CEO. "Capstone has had good success in the hybrid transit bus market with its clean 30kW and 65kW microturbines used as low emission electric vehicle range extenders. The addition of these drive components will allow Capstone to further penetrate the HEV market segments, including commercial truck and marine applications," added Jamison.
The supply agreement with CalMotors covers a range of traction motor sizes, from 70kW to more than 300kW. This covers applications from small- to mid-size automobiles up to Class 8 tractor trailer trucks. CalMotors will also provide application assistance to integrate the Capstone Drive Solution components into new and retrofit vehicles. CalMotors has a wide range of experience with the Parker motor drive systems, and has redesigned the Parker products to address the vibration, temperature, and use characteristics of demanding mobile applications.
"Capstone is currently working with CalMotors on three new vehicle applications," said Jim Crouse, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing. "These include Class 4 commercial trucks and Class 8 tractors for new OEM applications as well as retrofit to existing vehicles. We are also pursuing marine applications for both auxiliary power and propulsion. Our new Capstone Drive Solution offering should open a lot of opportunities for electric drive systems where our ultra-low emissions and high efficiency have an advantage over more traditional prime movers."
"CalMotors is pleased to partner with Capstone to expand applications for our mobile hardened drive components," said Mike Kasaba, CalMotors President. "We have invested in the control technology to adapt Parker Hannifin's industrial products into hybrid electric vehicles, and this new partnership is expected to generate opportunities we could not have pursued on our own. Customers are looking for a complete integrated solution that includes a clean range extender, traction drive system, and overall vehicle control, and this agreement with Capstone provides that."
"There has been strong growth in electric drive systems for vehicles, and national and state governments are supporting technologies that can deliver higher performance at lower cost. Capstone is now in a good position to pursue the incentives and funding for these types of applications," added Jamison.
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