Businesses across the United States are increasingly turning to onsite power generation systems as strained utility grids struggle to meet rising demand for electricity, according to Vince Canino, CEO of Capstone Energy+. Capstone, a provider of microturbines and behind-the-meter power systems for industrial and commercial customers, has witnessed a notable surge in customer demand driven by concerns over energy security and business expansion requirements. The company is seeing growing interest from sectors including healthcare and is now actively pursuing projects in the data center industry.
Canino stated that current market discussions center on energy security rather than traditional cost-benefit analyses. He noted that customers are now purchasing substantially larger power systems compared to historical patterns. Capstone clients are buying blocks of energy ranging from three to six megawatts, a significant increase from the smaller-scale projects that were common in previous years.
According to Capstone's analysis, a one-megawatt system can supply electricity to approximately 750 to 1,000 households at any given time, depending on average household demand and geographic location. The shift toward onsite generation is accelerating purchasing timelines. Canino explained that decision cycles are shortening because the question for businesses is no longer about investment returns, but rather about securing adequate power capacity when needed.
He stated, "It's not so much about if I want power, but if I can get it when I need it." Capstone has already deployed its technology in real-world applications. The company installed a two-megawatt combined heat and power system at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, which provides both electricity and backup power during grid outages. The company has also deployed its microturbine technology at small-scale enterprise data centers, though Canino noted that Capstone has not yet completed installations at large-scale data center facilities.
The growing demand for onsite power systems reflects broader concerns about grid reliability and capacity constraints affecting American utilities.
Source: energynews.oedigital.com