A Successful Combined Heat and Power Project at the University of New Hampshire

ABSTRACT

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) is in the midst of a major construction and renovation program. Construction of new buildings has exceeded the capacity of the central heating system. Equipment in the existing central heating plant is aging, with some of the boilers over 60 years old. UNH investigated options for utility system upgrades. Because of electric rate uncertainty, UNH focused on options that included self-generation of electricity. The CHP plant has one 7.9 MW dual fuel turbine with heat recovery steam generator and auxiliary duct-firing. The building was designed and constructed to drop-in two additional turbines as UNH adds buildings over the next 20 years. The initial CHP configuration will provide about 90 percent of UNH electric needs and all heating needs.