AIRSIDE / APPLIED / CONTROLS / SERVICE / SPECIAL SOLUTION / TOTAL SYSTEM / UNITARY
Case Study – Fairfield University
EDUCATION / HEALTH CARE / LODGING / MANUFACTURING / OFFICE BUILDING / RETAIL / SPECIAL
Co-Gen Plant Supplies Power, Heat and
Cooling to Eco-Conscious University
Project Objectives
Energy Costs/ Millions $
Before/After
Combined Heat and Power Plant
8
6
Like many institutions of higher education, Fairfield University is under pressure to deliver a state-ofthe-art learning environment for its students while controlling escalating energy costs. Fairfield, which
boasts 5,000 students, is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. As part of its
mission to create a premier learning environment, Fairfield embarked on a program to expand its campus
footprint by 25 percent while overhauling half of its facilities. As part of the initiative, Fairfield decided
to investigate building its own cogeneration plant to control rapidly rising energy costs. The university
invited three energy service firms to present proposals.
Solution
4
2
20
2
04 2005 006 2007 2008 2009
Cost of Electricity
Cost of Fossil Fuels
Cost Reduction after CHP
Carrier analyzed Fairfield’s energy consumption trends, rates and demand charges, then looked for
places on campus to employ the heat load from a generator. Carrier ultimately developed a plan that
entailed installation of a 4.5 megawatt natural gas turbine and a waste heat recovery boiler. The
cogeneration plant delivers about 95 percent of the university’s power needs, while the waste heat
generated supplies up to 66 percent of the school’s high temperature hot water heating and cooling
needs. Carrier also helped the university negotiate a fixed term fuel supply plan to control operating
costs. The combined heat and power (CHP) plant earned the university a $2.3 million rebate from the
State of Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control.
Fairfield University’s energy costs rose from around $4 million in 2005 to anticipated costs of $7 million in 2008. It
is estimated that the combined heat and power plant will save the university more than $2.25 million a year in operating
costs at 2008 rates.
AIRSIDE / APPLIED / CONTROLS / SERVICE / SPECIAL SOLUTION / TOTAL SYSTEM / UNITARY
Case Study – Fairfield University
EDUCATION / HEALTH CARE / LODGING / MANUFACTURING / OFFICE BUILDING / RETAIL / SPECIAL
Project Synopsis
“The CHP [supplies our largest
energy demand buildings] at a
much reduced air emission rate
and a higher efficiency rate
than our previous systems.”
— William J. Auger,
Manager of Energy Services,
Fairfield University
Fairfield University’s $9.5 million combined heat and power (CHP) plant was co-developed by Carrier’s
Strategic Partnerships Group and the university’s Facilities and Campus Planning staff. The CHP system
was designed to generate almost the entire electrical load of the campus while at the same time meeting up
to 85 percent of the campus’s thermal requirements. The selected technology for the application was
a 4.5 megawatt natural gas combustion turbine. The exhaust gases from this turbine are directed
through a “waste heat recovery boiler” that generates high temperature hot water (350° F) that is
used for heating in the winter and, via an absorption chiller, for cooling in the summer.
According to Ward Strosser, Strategic Partnerships Group Manager for the Middletown, Connecticut
office, one of the most challenging issues when engineering a cogeneration plant is what to do with
the waste heat from the turbine. “The solution we provided ensured that almost all of the waste heat
would be productively used in either the campus high temperature hot water heating loop or to drive
the new absorption chiller.”
William J. Auger, Fairfield University’s Manager of Energy Services added, “We are currently utilizing
the heat exhaust from the turbine to supply 33 to 66 percent, depending on outside temperature, of
the central utility facility heat loop. This heat loop supplies our largest energy demand buildings.
The CHP does all this at a much reduced air emission rate and a higher efficiency rate than our
previous systems.”
As a result of substantial increases in electric utility rates since 2005 when the cogeneration project
began, the utility costs for Fairfield University were projected to approach $7 million for 2008 versus
$4 million just a few years ago. These increases in overall costs made the estimated savings associated
with the combined heat and power plant more than $2.25 million dollars annually.
As William Auger mentioned, the project also had an excellent impact on greenhouse gas emissions
for the campus. By generating on-site power via the highly efficient, correctly sized gas turbine,
the university is estimated to take more than 25 million kilowatt hours of electricity off the very
congested utility grid of southwestern Connecticut. The state welcomed this alleviation of strain on
the electrical infrastructure, and the CHP plant qualified the university for $2.3 million in grant monies
from the Department of Public Utility Control. This project is expected to reduce the university’s
overall carbon footprint by more than 10,000 metric tons per year.
Project Summary
Location: Fairfield, CT
Project Type: Replacement of
traditional on-grid power with
cogeneration plant.
Building Usages: Classroom
facilities, residence halls,
administrative and common
buildings.
Project Main Objectives:
Contain energy costs as campus
grows; take the university’s demand
off the local power grid; use
waste heat from power generation
productively; reduce environmental
impact of university.
Main Decision Drivers: Carrier’s
CHP plan provided almost all the
university’s energy needs, and
used almost all waste heat in the
existing hot water loop to heat
and cool the majority of buildings
on campus.
Unique Features: Carrier helped
the university negotiate a long-term
natural gas contract, thereby
capping energy costs for an
extended period.
Equipment: Natural gas
combustion turbine; “waste heat
recovery” boiler; absorption chiller.
Project Cost: $9.5 million
Installation Date: 2007
For more information, contact your nearest Carrier Representative, call 1.800.CARRIER or visit our web site at www.carrier.com
© 2008 Carrier Corporation 07/08
04-811-10216