It is estimated the 200 kilowatt microturbine will eliminate 6486 tons of carbon dioxide produced from coal seam gas from the atmosphere each year.

The anticipated annual energy cost saving is $80,000.

Consol Energy chief commercial officer Jim Grech said the C200 was expected to have much lower maintenance costs and emissions than those from reciprocating engines.

The microturbine power system could qualify Consol to sell carbon dioxide credits and for Tier 2 incentives under the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard.

Unlike traditional generation technologies, microturbines are suited to using gas with low methane content.

The Fallowfield microturbine continuously operates with methane concentrations around 33%.

Capstone executive vice president of sales and marketing Jim Crouse said he expected the US market for the microturbines to grow.

“As government regulations for methane emissions become stricter, we anticipate more companies will turn to microturbines because they can easily operate on methane gas, produce extremely low emissions and are exceptionally reliable,” he said.