Cleaver-Brooks HRSGs Keep Power and Heat Running at NYU Despite Hurricane Sandy
LINCOLN, Neb.:
November 14,
2012
While most of New York City was
without power in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, buildings at New York University
(NYU), enjoyed warmth and electricity provided by the university’s new
co-generation (co-gen) plant. During the hurricane, NYU was able to isolate
itself from the main grid and operate in “island mode,” maintaining power, heat
and hot water for 22 buildings on the main campus and 37 other connected
facilities.
Integral to
NYU’s co-gen plant are two Cleaver-Brooks Max-Fire® Heat Recovery
Steam Generators (HRSGs), which were installed in 2008 to recover heat from the
exhaust flow of combustion gas turbines. These HRSGs harness energy wasted in
the combustion process when vented directly to the atmosphere. The natural
gas-fired co-gen plant, completed in January 2011, is part of NYU’s
sustainability plan. Today the university’s co-gen system operates at close to
90 percent efficiency.
According to
Jason Jacobi, sales manager for the Engineered Boiler Systems division of
Cleaver-Brooks, NYU’s private co-gen installation is somewhat unique in the
city of New York.
“NYU is
fortunate to have invested in such a system,” said Jacobi. “Originally
conceived to reduce the university’s carbon footprint while saving money, it
now has proven itself to be especially beneficial in the areas of safety and
reliability, as evidenced by its performance during this crisis. Our hearts
truly go out to the victims of this horrific storm who were left without heat
and power.”
NYU’s co-gen
process begins with natural gas fueling twin high-tech gas turbines. The
rotation of the turbines is used to generate 11 megawatts of electricity. As the turbines work, hot exhaust is directed
to the Cleaver-Brooks HRSGs, which boil water into 600 psig steam that is
directed to a steam turbine electrical generator, producing an additional 2.4
megawatts of electricity. After the steam has passed through the steam turbine
generator, it is used to make hot water for the campus in two high-temperature
heat exchangers, and also is used to operate a turbine-driven chiller to
produce cold water for air conditioning.
According to
NYU, the co-gen system is saving the university between $5 million and $8
million in energy-related costs annually compared to its former system. In
addition, because of the plant’s efficiency, greenhouse gases have been reduced
by 5,000 tons annually, and there are 68 percent fewer pollutants emitted
compared to meeting the university’s needs with conventionally produced
energy.
Jacobi added,
“Other institutions should follow NYU’s lead and investigate co-gen plants of
their own due to their many benefits, including cost savings and emissions
reduction as well as safety and reliability during a natural disaster.”
For more
information about Cleaver-Brooks full line of HRSGs for co-gen applications, or
to locate a sales or service representative, call (800) 250-5883 or visit cleaverbrooks.com.
About Cleaver-Brooks
Cleaver-Brooks, a
world-renowned provider of boiler room products and systems, is
committed to providing efficient solutions that help its customers and
the industry reduce energy usage, cost and environmental impact. As the
pioneer of packaged firetube and watertube boilers, Cleaver-Brooks is
the only manufacturer in the world to offer an entirely integrated
boiler room solution for any size application. Its products are backed
by a world-class representative network offering superior aftermarket
service and solutions.
Media Contact
Elizabeth Brown
Debbie Dryden
Email:
media@cleaverbrooks.com