Case Study: Southern California Edison achieves cleaner, reliable island power with Capstone Green Energy microturbines

Southern California Edison - Customer Case Study

Southern California Edison needed to upgrade the aging, diesel-based power system serving Catalina Island to meet California’s strict air quality standards while maintaining reliable voltage and frequency for a remote microgrid with highly variable demand. Capstone Green Energy provided 23 C65 microturbines using vaporized liquid propane to support the island’s power supply and help offset peak loads.

With the Capstone Green Energy microturbines, Southern California Edison increased generating capacity to about 1.5 MW, reduced diesel fuel consumption by 200,000 gallons annually, and improved the island’s emissions profile. In the first year, the system produced 2.5 million kWh, cutting smog-forming NOx emissions by about 8% and diesel particulate matter by about 9.5%, while also improving grid stability and dispatch flexibility.

Southern California Edison

Ronald Hite

District Manager