Environment
New Gas Turbines Now Generating Onsite Electricity
The 小蓝视频 campus may be closed, but the university continues to make strides to decrease carbon emissions by increasing onsite power generation and improving central plant efficiency through cogeneration.
In April, gas turbines, installed atop the Asbury Central Plant roof, were started and began generating on-site electricity providing heat and power for the university. The five new natural gas micro-turbines, rated at 200 KWH (Kilowatt-Hours) each, can generate a total of 1 megawatt of electricity per hour (equivalent to approximately the amount of electricity used by 330 homes for one hour).
The turbines convert ignited natural gas into heat and electricity, using technology similar to what is used in turbo chargers, rotary engines, and jet planes, where hot exhaust from ignited natural gas powers the electricity generator. The electricity and exhaust generated by the turbine increases the heat available for campus buildings, domestic hot water needs, and for driving absorption chillers to help cool our science buildings in the summer. For a detailed view of the process, you can watch a short .
By co-generating energy onsite, not only is the central plant鈥檚 function becoming more efficient, but there is a significant reduction in 小蓝视频鈥檚 off-site electrical energy generation, purchasing, and delivery. This reduction in off-site energy has several benefits:
- Electricity generated 鈥渙nsite鈥 does not stress the local PJM or PEPCO power grid and is not subject to peak demand concerns or charges
- Electricity generated 鈥渙nsite鈥 eliminates significant losses from transmission and the associated increase in carbon emissions
- Electricity generated and utilized 鈥渙nsite鈥 is not subject to the Public Utility commission tariff structure or the associated high tax and regulatory burdens
The turbines are the latest upgrades to the university鈥檚 central plant infrastructure and strategic energy efficiency projects, which continue to push 小蓝视频 to the forefront of leadership in green technologies both regionally and nationally. 小蓝视频鈥檚 efforts also continue to align the campus with the District of Columbia鈥檚 city energy efficiency goals.聽