Capstone C200 and C1000 Series Microturbines Certify to New EU Grid Interconnect Standards

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Sept. 2, 2015 (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 flagship C200 and C1000 Series microturbines have become certified for multiple European Grid Interconnection standards. These new standards, which are; Verband der Elektrotechnik (VDE) and Bundesverband der Energie - und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW) and Comitato Electtrotecnico Italiano (CEI) were attained following the development and implementation of new microturbine system software architecture.

Both microturbine products were tested and successfully certified by independent third party agencies for the new German and Italian utility grid standards.

An increase in the installation of grid-connected distributed energy resources (DER) has led to new challenges for electrical distribution systems (EDS) in both Germany and Italy as they lean more heavily on renewable energy and distributed combined heat and power plants. Distributed power generation, using DER technologies, can often impact distribution networks by causing lulls in grid voltage. Capstone's certification allows its microturbines to successfully interconnect and operate in parallel with the grid and in compliance with this new more stringent EU grid interconnect regulations.

With this certification, Capstone's C200 and C1000 Series microturbines are 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, especially for mission critical facilities, like hospitals and data centers. The VDE, BDEW and CEI 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—during a hot summer day or winter storm—Capstone microturbines will remain fully operational and work in concert with the grid to regulate power distribution.

"We are proud to announce that our largest capacity microturbines have become VDE, BDEW and CEI certified," said Jim Crouse, Capstone's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "This milestone strengthens Capstone's competitive advantage by certifying that our products meet the most current distributed energy production standards," added Crouse.

Countries like Germany and Italy have adopted these new standards to move towards a capacity market, and other countries like France and Great Britain are following suit. Capacity markets guarantee that an energy supply will be available when it is needed most, thus providing an additional incentive for developers and potential owners of Capstone products.

"Certifying the C200 and C1000 Series product to these new German and Italian standards was no small task and required the purchase of a half million dollar state-of-the-art utility grid simulator as well as thousands of hours of software design and system testing to meet the new requirements," stated Darren R. Jamison, Capstone's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Thirteen percent of the 91MW we shipped last year went to Europe and this new certification will provide us another competitive advantage to help us leverage our business in the future as more countries in the EU follow after Germany and Italy," added Jamison.

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 Turbine has shipped over 8,500 Capstone Microturbine systems to customers worldwide. These award-winning systems have logged millions of documented runtime operating hours. Capstone Turbine 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 New York Metro Area, United Kingdom, Mexico City, Shanghai and Singapore.

The Capstone Turbine Corporation logo is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6212

This press release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is used in the federal securities laws, about compliance with distributed energy production standards. 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.

CONTACT: Capstone Turbine Corporation
         Investor and investment media inquiries:
         818-407-3628
         ir@capstoneturbine.com

         Investors:
         Dian Griesel Int'l.
         Cheryl Schneider/Tom Caden
         212-825-3210

Released September 2, 2015