WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized three facilities with the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP) award for demonstrating leadership and a commitment to protecting peoples’ health and the environment. By using CHP technology, the award winners achieved an estimated annual energy savings of more than $4 million and avoided carbon pollution equivalent to that from nearly 20,000 cars on the road, said the EPA.

“Combined heat and power systems are an exciting and innovative technology — it pays us back by cutting energy costs and protecting the environment,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “By using this technology, our award winners are demonstrating their commitment to clean, healthy air, and creating a path for others to follow.

The CHP award was given to the following facilities:

• Dominion Transmission-Crayne Station, Waynesburg, Pa.;

• KPMG LLP, Minneapolis; and

• University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati.

The three facilities achieved operating efficiencies ranging from 68 to 73 percent, much higher than the efficiency of separate production of electricity and thermal energy which can be less than 50 percent, stated the EPA. CHP technology simultaneously produces electricity and useful thermal energy from a single energy source, such as natural gas, biomass, or wasted energy.

Publication date: 10/24/2011