Cornell Combined Heat and Power Plant

Cornell University's Climate Action Plan set a goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. A key component to the success of this initiative was the Cornell Combined Heat and Power Plant project (CCHPP), the result of extensive study and development by CHA. The CCHPP integrated a 30 MW cogeneration system into the existing boiler house infrastructure to provide energy and fuel flexible security. It allowed the retirement of coal-fired resources, and transitioned from No. 6 to No. 2 oil as the primary fuel source.

CHA integrated advanced dual-fuel 15 MW dry low-NOx Solar Turbines Titan 130 gas turbine generators (GTG) alongside two dual-pressure duct-fired Rentech heat recovery steam turbine generators (GTG) featuring SCR and CO emissions control. A new 3.2-mile high-pressure gas pipeline was constructed to eliminate on-site gas compression needs. A carefully engineered new structure was designed to house the equipment. The modernization efforts extended to the existing 115-13.2 kV substation, along with the addition of a third transformer to accommodate the CCHPP's output and increase reliability. These upgrades were successfully implemented without causing any disruptions to campus services.