Tuesday, Oct 21, 2014
The Trigeneration System, which began operations this fall, saves money while reducing the University’s carbon footprint
by Janeen Rodgers '15
Rider University completed construction on a new power plant this summer that will generate about a quarter of the Lawrenceville campus's electricity, saving more than $500,000 in annual utility costs while reducing the University’s carbon footprint.
Located next to the Gill Chapel on the Lawrenceville campus, the new Trigeneration System began operations this fall. The industrial facility will generate electricity to heat and cool four of the University’s academic buildings. The plant harnesses 1.1 megawatts of electricity from natural gas to power about a quarter of the energy used on campus.
“Overall, this plant will be an asset not only from an operational perspective, but from an environmental perspective as well,” says Mike Reca, associate vice president for facilities and auxiliary services.
By the year 2050, the University has set a goal to be a carbon neutral environment. The Trigen plant is helping to make this goal a reality. The facility uses hot water to replace the need for boilers during winter and chilled water to replace the need for coolants during summer. It produces a net efficiency power generation of approximately 66 percent (the average utility generator is only 25 to 40 percent efficient).
“The facility is intended to save 8,999 pounds of nitrogen oxides per year and 17,325 pounds of sulfur oxides on an annual basis,” Reca says.