400 McLevin Avenue

At a Glance
• System Configuration: 2 × C65 Grid Connect Capstone Microturbines (130 kW) + 100-Ton Direct Exhaust Absorption Chiller
• Annual Generation: >1.1 Million kWh/year
• Energy Savings: >$100,000 / year in direct utility reductions
• Thermal & Cooling Integration: 860,000 BTU/hr hot water + 81 tons of absorption cooling (CCHP)


The Challenge
Facing a severe budget crisis, the board at MTCC 971 (a 19-story, 222-unit complex) watched utility expenditures surge to $550,000 annually, accounting for nearly 60% of total operating expenses. Compounded by a 28% increase in facility maintenance fees, the property needed a long-term strategy to curtail soaring electricity and natural gas bills. Supporting heavy resident amenities - including a pool, sauna, tennis court, exercise facilities, and underground parking - required significant baseload electricity and continuous year-round thermal energy. The board required an adaptable, non-disruptive energy solution that could fit into an existing penthouse mechanical room and scale over time to maximize ROI.


The Solution
Veristar Energy implemented a modular, multi-phase Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) solution, building out system capacity in alignment with the facility's capital renewal schedule.
• Phase 1 (2017 - Baseline CHP): Replaced aging boiler capacity with an initial C65 microturbine, supplying over 50% of common area electricity while recovering exhaust heat for year-round domestic hot water and winter space heating.
• Phase 2 (2020 - Capacity Expansion): Added a second C65 microturbine to double electrical output, powering nearly 100% of common area electrical loads and maximizing site efficiency.
• Phase 3 (2021/2022 - Trigeneration Integration): Installed a 100-ton direct exhaust absorption chiller fed by combined microturbine exhaust, producing 81 tons of chilled water to offset an inefficient electric chiller during summer months.
• Penthouse Mechanical Integration: The compact, low-noise, zero-vibration footprint allowed installation directly inside the existing roof penthouse without expensive structural modifications.


The Results
• Energy Budget Cut by More Than Half: Overall annual energy expenses plummeted from $550,000 down to $210,000, reducing energy from 60% of operating expenses to just 21%.
• $100,000 Annual Savings: Delivers over $100,000 in ongoing annual utility bill savings, bolstered by $250,000 CAD in secured government incentives to accelerate capital payback.
• 99% Operating Uptime: Over 40,000 combined hours of operation across units, providing continuous, low-maintenance energy with zero residential noise complaints.
• 100% Year-Round Thermal Utilization: Achieves nearly 75% average system efficiency by using 100% of waste heat for space heating and hot water in winter, and free air conditioning in summer.


"CHP has been a game-changer in our drive to control energy costs. We are very satisfied with our decision to choose Capstone microturbines, as we have minimal maintenance requirements and no complaints of noise or vibration from our residents."
— Zahir Antia, Secretary, MTCC 971 Board of Directors