How to avoid storm blackouts? Colleges go big with microgrids

Publication Date

Times Union

The College's new cogeneration plant was recently mentioned in a National Geographic story on how colleges are seeking to become energy independent.

The new plant will dramatically reduce the College’s carbon footprint, ease demand on current aging systems and result in significant energy saving costs.

The combined heat and power plant will allow for the simultaneous production of electricity to power most of Union’s 130-acre campus. The plant will also recycle waste heat to produce heat and chilled water that can be used to provide dehumidification year-round, a critical need in buildings like Schaffer Library and laboratories with sensitive equipment.