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Becoming DEEP Green with Just One Project: Cogen

Explore the benefits of cogeneration (Cogen) in the pursuit of sustainability at Amherst College. This project showcases how Cogen technology offers reasonable payback, fuel flexibility, and significant reductions in CO2 emissions. With a focus on operational efficiency, the Cogen system demonstrates a commitment to climate action aligned with initiatives like the Kyoto Protocol and the Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Learn about the initial costs, savings, and the impact of rising energy prices while understanding the complex yet rewarding path to becoming deeply green.

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Becoming DEEP Green with Just One Project: Cogen

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  1. Becoming DEEP Green with Just One Project: Cogen • Tom Davies – Director Design & Construction, Amherst College • Todd Holland – Energy Manager, Amherst, Mount Holyoke & Smith Colleges

  2. The Bottom Line(s) • Reasonable pay-back • Huge CO2 reduction • Fuel flexibility and standby power • But . . . . . . Large first cost

  3. Why Go Green? Many flavors of climate commitment: • Kyoto Protocol • Clean Air/Cool Planet a.k.a. The New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers’ Climate Change Action Plan • Step It Up • Presidents Climate Commitmenta.k.a. American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

  4. Greenhouse gas audit

  5. Greenhouse gas model

  6. Flavors of climate commitment

  7. Many ways to go green – How do they compare? • Purchasing REC’s • Building improvements • Operational changes • Behavioral changes • Cogeneration

  8. Offsets, Programs, and Projects

  9. Offsets, vs. Projects and Cogen

  10. Offsets, vs. Projects and Cogen

  11. Cogen by the numbers of GHG emissions from fuel for heat and purchased electricity 94%

  12. Cogen by the numbers 24% 44% of our GHG emissions are from electricity of the energy we buy is electricity

  13. Where does electricity come from?

  14. Cogen by the numbers 70% of the energy used to generate electricity is wasted as heat

  15. Cogen by the numbers 30% 80% overall efficiency of a small cogen system efficiency of the nation’s electric grid

  16. Comparison of conventional systems vs. Cogen • CO2 reduction 7000 tons, 23% • NOx (smog) reduction 27 tons, 60% • SOx (acid rain) reduction 93 tons, 62%

  17. OK, you convinced me.So what is this Cogen? • Gas turbine, recip engine, steam turbine • Types of plants where this it works • What’s new: available to smaller campuses

  18. Cogen explained:

  19. Conventional Power Plant: High Pressure Steam 60 Units STEAM TURBINE(Eff. = 42%) 72Units DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM(Eff. = 95%) BOILER(Efficiency = 83%) 23 Units 25 Units 22Units GENERATOR(Eff. = 92%) 35 Units • 72 Fuel Source units yields: • 22 Units of Electricity CONDENSER Electric Efficiency: 30%

  20. Conventional Heating Plant: Heat to Campus58 Units • 73 Fuel Source units yields: • 58 Units of Thermal Energy 73Units BOILER(Efficiency = 80%) Thermal Efficiency: 80%

  21. Conventional Heat & Power: High Pressure Steam 60 Units STEAM TURBINE(Eff. = 42%) 72Units DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM(Eff. = 95%) BOILER(Efficiency = 83%) 23 Units 25 Units 22Units GENERATOR(Eff. = 92%) CONDENSER • 145 Fuel Source units yields: • 22 Units of Electricity • 58 Units of Thermal Energy Heat to Campus58 Units 73Units BOILER(Efficiency = 80%) Overall Efficiency: 55%

  22. Cogen = Combined Heat & Power: 24 Units 100Units GAS TURBINE(Efficiency = 24%) GENERATOR(Eff. = 92%) 22Units 76 Units • 100 Fuel Source units yields: • 22 units electricity • 58 units thermal energy HEAT RECOVERY STEAM GENERATOR Steam to Campus 58 Units Overall Efficiency: 80%

  23. Cogen explained:

  24. Cogen configuration • Fuel cost and availability: natural gas, diesel, or both • Year-round or seasonal operation • Are you thermally or electrically rich? • Steam and/or hot water for heat • Summertime heat load • Rate structure

  25. The Cogen Solution at Amherst Solar Saturn dual-fuel gas turbine and HRSG with duct burner Back-pressure steam turbine Total capacity 1250 and 500 kW

  26. Cogen by numbers: Payback and other cost factors • Initial cost • Operational savings • Simple payback estimates • Volatility in energy costs and what that means for payback • Rising energy prices = good news!

  27. Amherst Cogen First Costs Construction 5,200,000 Equipment 3,500,000 Soft Costs 600,000 Total Cost 9,300,000

  28. Payback Calculations This will be done live off a spreadsheet based on current gas, oil and electricity costs, and the audiences predictions of future gas, oil and electricity costs.

  29. Other benefits: • Stand-by power capabilities • Island mode operation • Demand reduction = payments from utility • Diversification of boiler equipment • Reduced reliance on #6 fuel oil

  30. Too good to be true? • Equipment availability • The reality of a seller’s market • Schedule volatility • Pricing volatility and change orders • It’s complex, so build a great team

  31. Evolution of costs & savings

  32. Grid Operator Alphabet Soup • ISO • RMR • FCM1 • FCM2 • ODR • Translation = $67,000 a year

  33. Cogen Team • In-house: D&C, Engineering, Ops, Energy, Administration, Trustees • Consultants: Engineers, Commissioning Agent, Testing, Permitting, Procurement • Vendor: Prime Mover(s) & Subs • Contractor: Builders, Commissioners Become DEEP Green with Just One Project: Cogen

  34. The Bottom Line(s) Reasonable pay-back Fuel flexibility and standby power Huge CO2 reduction

  35. Resources CHP Application Centers • www.northeastchp.org • www.chpcenterma.org • www.chpcenterse.org • www.gulfcoastchp.org • www.chpcentermw.org • www.intermountainchp.org • www.chpcenternw.org • www.chpcenterpr.org

  36. Discussion Contact info: • Tom – tdavies@amherst.edu • Todd – tholland@fivecolleges.edu

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