Capstone Green Energy Gains Traction with Valparaiso Community Schools Energy Upgrade

Valparaiso Community Schools (VCS) in Indiana recently placed an order for four C65 microturbines from Capstone Green Energy Holdings, Inc. (OTCQX: CGEH), with two units slated for installation at Valparaiso High School and another two at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. These microturbines will be integrated with Vergent Power Solutions controllers to provide both prime power and combined heat and power (CHP) for domestic hot water and heating at each campus. The project is part of the school district’s larger Phase 2 $17 million Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC) and is expected to be commissioned later this month. The C65 microturbines run on clean natural gas and are known for their quiet operation and low-maintenance design, essential traits for installations near classrooms. 

What exactly is a microturbine? Simply put, a microturbine is a small-scale rotary power generator that operates similarly to a jet engine but is designed for distributed energy generation at the facility level. Typically fueled by natural gas or renewable biogas, microturbines produce electricity while also capturing waste heat for heating or hot water through combined heat and power (CHP) configurations. This dual-output capability allows users to improve overall energy efficiency and reduce emissions compared to separate electricity and heating systems.

This latest deployment builds on previous successful collaborations between Capstone, Vergent Power Solutions, and Veregy, an energy services company accredited by the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO). Their earlier partnership in 2020 brought a similar C65 system to Argos Community Schools in Indiana, achieving or exceeding all energy conservation targets after five years. The ongoing partnership reflects the growing role of microturbines in long-term energy strategies for institutions like school districts. 

Valparaiso Community Schools have already demonstrated significant commitment to sustainable energy, with prior investments including solar arrays, LED lighting, HVAC upgrades, and real-time utility monitoring. Those efforts have generated more than $7.6 million in projected energy savings over 12 years. The new microturbine installations will complement these upgrades, enhancing both energy resilience and cost savings by producing electricity and useful heat onsite to reduce utility expenses. 

Vince Canino, President and CEO of Capstone Green Energy, emphasized how this Phase 2 project represents a holistic approach to energy efficiency. He noted the value of saving energy at the source, rather than just generating more, with the microturbines fitting neatly into VCS’s evolving microgrid infrastructure alongside solar, lighting, and HVAC systems. The schools will benefit from reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy tailored to their operational needs. 

Justin Rathke, President of Vergent Power Solutions, highlighted the unique suitability of microturbines for educational environments due to their quiet operation and reliability. The ability to generate on-site power and heat not only helps reduce costs but also supports building a more resilient energy future, a key priority for educational institutions managing operational challenges and sustainability goals. 

Microturbines are compact, have fewer moving parts than traditional engines, and require less maintenance. Their quiet operation and ability to be deployed in tight spaces make them ideal for commercial, industrial, and institutional applications where resilience and sustainability matter. 

For nearly 40 years, Capstone Green Energy has been at the forefront of clean technology innovation with microturbines. They have deployed over 10,600 units across 88 countries, helping organizations reduce carbon footprints via onsite, high-efficiency energy systems. Their product range covers capacities from 65kW units to multi-megawatt solutions tailored to diverse commercial, industrial, and utility-scale needs. Beyond hardware, Capstone offers flexible Energy-as-a-Service models including build-own-transfer structures, power purchase agreements, leases, and rental solutions, accommodating a variety of customer investment profiles and project durations. 

The integration of microturbines at Valparaiso Community Schools aligns with a broader trend toward decentralized energy production with sustainability and operational resilience as guiding principles. By reducing dependency on grid power and capturing useful heat that would otherwise be wasted, schools lessen environmental impacts while creating stable energy supplies for both daily operations and emergency situations. With this installation, VCS bolsters its status as one of Indiana’s most ambitious K-12 energy efficiency programs, showing that thoughtfully engineered microturbine systems can be central to practical and cost-effective green energy solutions in educational settings. 

Capstone and its partners continue to expand their influence, innovating how energy needs are met on-site while helping organizations live up to their sustainability commitments with technically elegant solutions. As the energy landscape evolves, Capstone’s microturbine technology remains a relevant, quiet, and reliable solution for institutions looking beyond conventional utility models.