PASADENA, Calif. — Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced that the Jacobs-designed cogeneration plant at Texas A&M University was recognized with a 2013 Energy Star® Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Jacobs provided full-service design of the plant, including CHP and electrical system design, construction administration, and commissioning. The system requires one-third less fuel than a typical off-campus power plant with similar output, prevents emissions of air pollutants, generates up to 45 megawatts of electricity, and serves the district energy system by supplying steam and chilled water for space cooling, heating, and hot water for the 5,000-acre campus in College Station, Texas.

The new CHP system is also designed to operate and remain fully functional during a power outage, an important factor for a higher education facility with critical operations including research facilities, dormitories, and a veterinary hospital. During the first month of the system’s operation, Jacobs said Texas A&M’s energy savings exceeded $1 million. The plant is a significant step in the university’s initiatives to reduce its CO2 emissions by 1,366,290 tons over 30 years.