EPA Recognizes Healthcare and Higher Ed CHP

The U.S. EPA has recognized five facilities with the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award for their efforts to reduce emissions that threaten public health while increasing energy reliability and efficiency. “Our Energy Star CHP award winners are better serving their students and patients while safeguarding the environment,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “These institutions are protecting their critical operations from power outages and our climate from harmful carbon pollution with more reliable and more efficient CHP systems.”renewable energy

CHP, also known as cogeneration, simultaneously produces electricity and useful heat from a single energy source (e.g., natural gas). CHP ensures the award-winning hospitals and universities can continue to
operate in the event of a power outage.

Award winners include:
Medical Area Total Energy Plant, LP, Boston, MA
Montefiore Medical Center, New York, NY
New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY
New York University, New York, NY
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

The five winning CHP systems achieved operating efficiencies ranging from 69% to 75%, significantly higher than the efficiency of separate production of electricity and thermal energy, which can be less than 50%. The medical centers’ and universities’ increase in operating efficiency not only reduces their energy costs but prevents carbon pollution equal to the emissions from the electricity used by more than 33,000 homes.

New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and New York University have each reported annual savings of approximately $5 million while Texas A&M University reported savings of nearly $150 million in the last 10 years.

By using CHP, the winners are able to operate independently from the grid during power supply disruptions, such as those from weather related events. CHP’s benefits for universities include uninterrupted electricity, heat, and cooling for dorms and classrooms, and protection of data centers and research activities that are vulnerable to losses of air conditioning and electricity. With CHP systems, hospitals ensure that patient care can continue uninterrupted, and that vital assets such as research facilities, diagnostic labs, and pharmaceutical supplies are safeguarded. Below is a graphic from the International District Energy Association illustrating the energy benefits of a CHP system.

CHP