What is Co-generation?
Co-generation is “the production of electricity using waste heat (as in steam) from an industrial process or the use of steam from electric power generation as a source of heat” (Merriam-Webster)
能源 on Campus
Where does our 能源 come from?
能源 solutions are always evolving. Here’s what the 大学 has done so far:
Co-Generation on Campus
On average, our co-generation plant provides 75% of our annual electricity.
我们的故事
Montclair State 大学 and UMM 能源 Partners, LLC formed a major public-private partnership to develop a combined heating, 冷却, and power (CHCP) system for the campus.
The facility and its related improvements went online in 2013 and replaced the former 能源 plant which began generating steam in the 1940s and providing electricity as a co-generation plant in 1993. The project’s development resulted in more cost-effective, 非常高效。, and reliable delivery of heating, 冷却, and electrical services to campus buildings.
The plant provides natural gas-fired electric generation, chilled water for 冷却, and steam for heat. 蒸汽, 冷凝物, and chilled water flow to and from campus buildings through the 能源 distribution system. 另外, the majority of the campus’ electricity requirements are satisfied by the onsite plant, which is designed to operate continuously, producing electric power of approximately 5.4兆瓦. The plant is located on Yogi Berra Drive, adjacent to the campus’ CarParc Diem parking garage.
Our Local Utility
The remaining portion of our electricity (about 25% on average) is purchased through our local utility provider, PSE&G.
In January 2023, we entered a retail renewable 能源 agreement with ENGIE Resources LLC, a subsidiary of ENGIE North America Inc. under which Montclair State 大学 will purchase Green-e™ certified Renewable 能源 Credits (RECs) from wind, solar and hydro projects across the U.S. Over the course of the agreement, the RECs purchased will contribute to support CO2 emissions avoidance by more than 7,600 metric tons, while matching 100% of the 大学’s forecasted retail electricity consumption from the grid. Read the full announcement.
密歇根州立大学的太阳能
Where are our solar panels?
The solar field is located in Parking Lot 60. It feeds into a converter and provides a small amount of power to Alice Paul Hall in the Village.
In 2010, the 大学 was awarded a grant through the Board of Public Utilities that allowed for the installation of a solar field. These solar installations, including one at the north end of campus in Parking Lot 60, went online in 2011.
微型智能电网"
Montclair’s 微型智能电网"
What’s a microgrid?
“A microgrid is a local 能源 grid with control capability, which means it can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously.” (能源.政府)
Why do we have one on campus?
After a freak accident in 2016 that left the 大学 without electrical power, the 大学 developed a 微型智能电网" as one of our 能源 management strategies. Read the full story.
Montclair is one of the few university campuses in the country to have its own 微型智能电网" setup. The redundancy provided by this facility has increased our flexibility in meeting 能源 demands and increased our resiliency to climate change.
The generators are housed in the same area as the main CHCP, next to CarParc Diem parking garage.