Summary of the East Campus CT-HRSG System View
East Campus CT-HRSG Modernization Project
Penn State has reduced its campus greenhouse gas emissions by 18% since 2005 and has set an ambitious new reduction goal of 35% by 2020. This will be accomplished, in part, with an expansion of the University’s combined heat and power (CHP) and its district energy system. In 2011, a combustion turbine and heat recovery steam generator (CT-HRSG) was installed at Penn State’s East Campus Steam Plant (ECSP) to modernize the facility and cogenerate 30,000 lb/hr of steam and 7MW of electricity. A ductburner increases the HRSG capacity to 117,000 lb/hr. This operational change has reduced the University’s coal consumption as well as increased on-site electricity production. In combination with the West Campus CHP plant, the East Campus CT-HRSG cogenerates steam and electricity serving more than 200 buildings at University Park. Penn State’s District Energy system produces 100% of campus steam needs and about 20% of campus electrical needs. In 2011, Penn State’s system operated at 72% efficiency. When completed, Penn State’s system will operate at better than 80%—more than two times the efficiency of the electric grid. The successful expansion demonstrates the viability of future, higher-efficiency co-generation. Penn State’s expanded combined heat and power system also ensures cleaner air for the University community and provides a resilient, highly efficient, low-carbon solution that is safe, reliable, and sustainable.