Indiana Secondary School District Embraces On-Site CHP with Capstone Microturbines
Capstone Green Energy is filling an order to install four of its C65 gas-fired microturbines to deliver on-site combined heat and power (CHP) generation at the Valparaiso Community Schools District in Indiana.
Valparaiso High School and Benjamin Franklin Middle School are each installing two C65 units. They will generate prime and CHP power for hot water and building heating at both sites.
The four Capstone Green Energy C65 systems, fueled by natural gas, will provide reliable, low-maintenance, and quiet on-site power, an important feature given their proximity to classrooms, the project developers say. The CHP systems will reduce utility costs and support the district’s long-term sustainability and resiliency goals by producing both electricity and heat.
The order was secured by Vergent Power Solutions, Capstone’s distributor for the Midwest and Northeast United States and Eastern Canada; it is expected to be commissioned by the end of October 2025. The project is a collaboration between Vergent and Veregy, a NAESCO-accredited, energy services company (ESCO).
“This repeat order from Veregy shows that microturbines are not just a one-off solution; they are a cornerstone of a long-term energy strategy,” said Justin Rathke, President of Vergent. “Their quiet operation and reliability make them an ideal fit for schools, and their ability to generate on-site power and heat helps clients like Valparaiso reduce costs and build a more resilient energy future.”
In 2020, the two companies partnered to bring a Capstone C65 system to Argos Community Schools in Indiana, which improved energy efficiency, lowered costs, and strengthened resiliency. The project exceeded all of its energy conservation goals after five years, the companies say.
The installations are the foundation of Valparaiso’s Phase 2 $17 million Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract (GESC), which includes solar, retro-commissioning, and other energy efficiency upgrades. The Phase 2 project supports the district’s sustainability efforts, which generated more than $7.6 million in projected energy savings over 12 years using solar arrays, LED lighting upgrades, HVAC enhancements, and real-time utility monitoring.