New Tri-Generation System at Police Station 100% Grant Funded
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- Category: Places
- Published on Saturday, 09 June 2012 09:04
- Written by Mike Lauterborn
On Friday, June 8 at 11:00 a.m., the Fairfield Police Department, 100 Reef Road, held a press conference announcing the completion of the Police Department’s new gas fired 50 kW tri-generation system. The tri-generation system provides heat, cooling, hot water, and electricity for the police headquarters.
Speakers at the announcement included First Selectman Mike Tetreau, DPW Assistant Director Ed Boman, Ross G. Spiegel of the Connecticut Green Building Council, representatives from Tecogen, the manufacturer of the cogeneration unit and Controlled Air, Inc. which designed and installed the Tri-generation system. Representatives from the Fairfield Police Department, The United Illuminating Company, Southern Connecticut Gas and members of the Connecticut Green Building Council were also in attendance. A power point presentation was given followed by a tour of the newly installed system.
The 100% grant-funded cogeneration unit will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and is considered a true tri-generation project, producing not only electricity, but heating and cooling as well.
The generator is a true bargain for the local taxpayer, according to the Department:
- The $422,500 capital cost of the generator was entirely financed by grants: A American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) block grant from the federal government provided $400,000 and $22,500 from The Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control.
- The cogeneration unit was manufactured and will be maintained by Tecogen.
- The custom tri-generation system was designed and installed by Controlled Air, Inc.
- The Tecogen cogeneration unit will save the Town approximately $50,000 a year in electric bills after all costs are paid.
- It is estimated the system will produce 417,000 kWh of electricity annually, while also halting the need to purchase 70,000 kWh for air conditioning in the summer. Moreover, the cogeneration unit will produce enough heat to save 17,047 ccf in natural gas purchases each year.
- The Town has qualified for the special cogeneration rate for natural gas, reducing its cost by 37%. Rates are further reduced by Fairfield actively bidding out the town’s electric supply, saving 28% in costs.
- Fairfield has a 20-year maintenance contract with Tecogen guaranteeing that the cogeneration unit will operate at a minimum of 90% availability and 90% capacity for 20 years.
First Selectman Mike Tetreau said, “This cogeneration system has two-fold benefits for the Town-both environmentally and fiscally. We not only save thousands of dollars on energy bills, but we also significantly lower our carbon footprint.”
