HVAC Contracting

CHP to Provide Hot Water and Air Conditioning for Long Island School District

Cogeneration turns an otherwise lost energy source into efficient heating and cooling

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Four FlexEnergy GT250S microturbines will become an integral part of a comprehensive energy savings project for the Longwood Central School District in Long Island, New York. The microturbines will include an integrated hot water cogeneration module to allow for a simple mechanical connection to multiple-facility hot water systems, as well as absorption chilling, reducing equipment footprint and facilitating quiet, safe, and reliable operations for combined heat and power (CHP). FlexEnergy’s Supervisory Control Master (SCM) will control two GT250S microturbines installed at the high school and an additional SCM will control two GT250S turbines at the middle school, managing the turbines for import control with dual mode capabilities to operate uninterrupted under grid isolated conditions when utility power is not available.

FlexEnergy designed and sold the microturbines and accompanying Supervisory Control Masters to the school district through its channel partner, MDP Energy of Long Island. Wiedersum Associates Architects consulted with MDP Energy on the cogeneration portion of the $21 million capital improvement/energy bond project, $8 million of which is earmarked for cogeneration and related equipment. Longwood Central School District is adding 300 tons of air conditioning as part of this capital bond project. The Flex turbines alone will produce the equivalent of 120 tons of air conditioning through an absorption chiller by capturing waste heat.

“Cogeneration is an effective way to turn an otherwise lost energy source into efficient heating and cooling,” said Mark Schnepel, president of FlexEnergy. “FlexEnergy has extensive experience in utilizing cogeneration for a variety of applications such as this, and is continually seeking additional applications in which it can benefit a community or business.”

Michael Passantino, president of MDP Energy, said, “Flex turbines offer distinct advantages over the typical peak shaver reciprocating generators used in most of the school districts on Long Island. The turbines offer true cogeneration by producing base load power continuously throughout the year, not just when demand on the electrical grid is at a peak. This is a cost-efficient, proven technology that easily can be replicated by other school systems.”

Passantino added, “Long Island has the second highest energy rates in the country; Longwood’s blended rate is $0.198 per kWh. The Flex microturbines will bring the high school and middle school costs down to nine cents per kWh, reducing energy costs by over 50 percent. The taxpayers will enjoy the cost-saving benefits of employing this system, and the district will enjoy having a reliable source of energy.”

“FlexEnergy’s cogeneration gas turbines are a natural fit for this type of application,” said Tom Hughes, territory sales manager for FlexEnergy. “The FlexTurbine™ requires minimal annual maintenance resulting in only 8 to 10 hours of scheduled maintenance per year. The turbines are covered by a 15 year Total Care service warranty, exemplifying a reliable technology that will allow the district to enjoy an accelerated payback period on this project.”

Commissioning is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2015.

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