The two new CHP plants, which will generate both steam and electricity, will replace a 75-year-old coal-burning plant that currently provides steam to two of the county's largest facilities — a community college and county health campus. CHP systems use exhaust heat from the generation of electricity to produce steam for productive purposes, such as heating and cooling.

With Siemens' assistance, Monroe County established the LDC as a budget-neutral solution to the county's energy needs. The LDC will finance the construction of the new plants through "take-or-pay" steam and electricity contracts from Monroe County. The county, in turn, will be able to purchase these utilities from the LDC at a rate much lower than what it is currently paying.

"This innovative and environmentally friendly project will provide significant savings to Monroe County and its taxpayers for years to come," said Monroe County Executive Jack Doyle.

Siemens estimates that the county will save more than $1.5 million in electric power costs and $850,000 in steam costs annually.

Under a $20.5 million construction contract and an annual $1.0 million technical support program from the LDC, Siemens will operate the existing power plant while the two new CHP plants are being built at the college and county health campus. In addition, Siemens will decommission the existing steam plant after the two new plants are up and running.

Siemens will build one of the CHP plants at the Iola heath facility campus, which includes Monroe Community Hospital and Monroe County Health and Social Services. The new CHP facility will be built near the site of the existing steam power plant and will generate approximately 2,700 kW of electricity and up to 65,000 pounds of steam per hour.

The second CHP plant will be built at Monroe County Community College and will supply approximately 4,000 kW of power and up to 20,000 gallons of hot water per hour. In addition to providing heat, the hot water will be used seasonally to produce cooling through a 400-ton chiller.

Both CHP facilities will have dual-fuel capability, operating on either natural gas or oil.

Siemens will serve as the turnkey contractor for the construction of both facilities. It also will supply both facilities with building infrastructure technologies, such as HVAC controls and fire safety and security systems. Siemens Financial Services Inc. helped secure financing for the project.

Construction of both plants is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2004.

For more information, visit www.sbt.siemens.com.

Publication date: 05/12/2003