A demonstration of a Capstone 60 MicroTurbine — the first of its size (60 kW) to run on propane in the United States — is underway in Oregon. PNGC Power (Portland, Oregon, U.S.), an electric power services cooperative owned by 15 Northwest electric distribution companies, is managing the initial field-testing for the microturbine owner, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA, Portland).

The demonstration will indicate the readiness of this emerging technology for use by customers. While this class of microturbine typically is designed to run on natural gas, propane can be an effective alternative, allowing the unit to be mobile. This is an important consideration in rural areas, which typically have no natural gas. For those off-grid already, microturbines could provide reliable, cost-effective power.

BPA and PNGC Power have been working to test distributed generation technologies over the past two years. The microturbine began operating at the Coffin Butte Resource Project near Corvallis, Oregon, in mid January. The electricity the microturbine generates is powering a portion of the station service requirements.

The microturbine unit is about 7 ft (2 m) tall mounted on a trailer and comes with propane tanks. Energy from the combusted fuel is converted by a rotating shaft to generate electricity. Microturbines are now filling a niche as a backup power source for improved power quality. BPA's goal is to give its customers experience with the machines and develop a better understanding of the role microturbines can play in meeting customer needs.

PNGC Power manages the Coffin Butte Resource Project on behalf of 12 electric utility cooperatives.
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