Hornblower Hybrid Ferry Winner of Capstone Microturbine Power Marine Contest

CHATSWORTH, Calif., Dec. 4, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capstone Turbine Corporation (www.capstoneturbine.com) (Nasdaq:CPST), the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, announced today the naming of Hornblower as the winner of Capstone's Microturbine Power Marine Contest.

In late 2013, Capstone challenged marine professionals around the world to explore the benefits of microturbine technology with a contest to win up to 130kW of free Capstone microturbine power for their vessel. After careful consideration, Capstone selected Hornblower and the Hornblower Hybrid yacht using contest criteria based on economics, performance, and application of the solution.

Hornblower promotes this hybrid yacht as the greenest and most innovative dinner cruise ship on the water, boasting leading edge technology, creative cuisine, and signature Hornblower service.

Working side-by-side with American Traction Systems (ATS), makers of solid-state electric traction and propulsion systems, Capstone will upgrade the New York Hornblower Hybrid with a custom C65 microturbine to help power the ship. The microturbine will produce DC power using Capstone's standard hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) components mounted in a heavy duty industrial enclosure.

Deployed in a highly efficient combined heat and power (CHP) marine application, the microturbine will also satisfy the hot water needs of the vessel. This innovative microturbine solution is expected to be commissioned in early 2015.

Capstone Turbine has its innovative hybrid microturbine solution on display in booth 661 at the International Workboat Show in New Orleans, Louisiana from December 3-5, 2014.

"ATS worked with Hornblower to commission the very first US Coast Guard approved hybrid passenger ferries in the United States," said Larry Machak, Business Development Manager at American Traction Systems. "The ATS hybrid propulsion system will integrate seamlessly with Capstone's microturbine generator to allow for vessel operation at the most efficient load point," added Machak.

"Capstone looks forward to working with an innovative company like Hornblower to provide clean and efficient power to such an eco-friendly vessel," said Jim Crouse, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Capstone Turbine. "Microturbines are ideal for power generation in marine applications because of their ultra-low emissions, minimal maintenance, small footprint, ease of installation, quiet operation, and lack of lubricants and coolants," added Crouse.

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 approximately 8,000 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 the advantages of our CHP applications and use of our products in marine applications. 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
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Released December 4, 2014