Capstone distributor Vergent Power Solutions, working with local engineering firm LBE Group and their construction partner, Dave McKay Construction, installed the new cogeneration system in October 2019. It features four natural gas-fueled C65 microturbines, which replaced an old boiler. The microturbine array functions in grid-connected operation, which allows the customer to operate in tandem with the utility while also alleviating strain on this remote section of the power grid. 

In addition to providing electricity, the system also supplies the building’s heat by repurposing the exhaust produced by the microturbines. This has the added benefit of reducing the facility’s emissions and increasing efficiency by up to 80%.  

The hospital chose Capstone technology due to its ease of maintenance, high uptime and low maintenance requirements. For a remote, difficult-to-reach area, it was especially important for the facility to be able to perform its own maintenance. The system is also supported with remote monitoring by Vergent Power Solutions, which can immediately alert the hospital of any equipment issues. 

To keep the system operating at its best, the installation has a 15-year Factory Protection Plan (FPP) that includes two engine overhauls over the span of the contract. The comprehensive FPP is designed to give financial peace of mind to Capstone customers by providing product life cycle costs at a fixed rate for both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance for the life of the microturbine system. 

As a rural Canadian hospital, the DRHC system is the first installation of its kind, and it is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions where winter temperatures can reach -40Cº (-40Fº).