Staying Afloat
proposed reservoirs raise debate about water needs
by noah gullaume
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| The site of the proposed glade reservoir around four miles north of fort collins. photo by lauren richardson |
In October 2005, CSU received a jolt. It did not earn much attention on campus, but it certainly gave an energy boost to CSU’s environmental efforts.
The rise in energy came from the newly installed steam turbine generator in the main campus central heating plant, located just off the southeast side of the Oval. In this building, which produces steam to heat buildings and hot water on campus, excess steam, once unused, is diverted to power the electricity-generating turbine.
Integration of the steam turbine increases the efficiency of CSU’s heating plant. The excess energy of the steam, previously lost in a pressure-reducing device, is now captured to run the turbine. Also, any electricity produced by the steam turbine is electricity that will not have to be generated by CSU’s electricity provider, said Carol Dollard, a utility engineer for the facilities department at CSU. This means a 2,600-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions each year from power plants.
What might be most shocking is the decision to install the generator was originally motivated by economics, not environmental concerns. “The reality of the state system is dollars are the driving factor,” Dollard said.
The turbine is expected to generate $252,100 worth of electricity per year. The turbine’s price tag, after a $54,000 rebate from the city of Fort Collins, amounted to $826,300.
“That $250,000 a year will pay back that initial cost (of the turbine) in three years, and then after that we’ll be $250,000 ahead,” Dollard said.
Just how much electricity will the turbine generate? Campus engineers project 5.6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity each year. This is enough electricity to power 777 average U.S. homes for a year. It equals 5.5 percent of CSU’s annual electricity consumption.
If the decision was based on economic implications, then why is extra steam produced in the first place?
Steam is generated in three large boilers at the heating plant. The steam leaves the boilers at 160 pounds per square inch (psi), but needs to be at 50 psi for campus use. The boilers produce at a constant 160 psi to prevent them from having to track the fluctuating load demands, thus prolonging the life of the boilers. Dollard equates this with the stop-and-go effect on a car as opposed to driving at a steady cruising speed. Now, the turbine takes the place of the pressure-reducing device.
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| an overhead view of the cache la poudre river flowing down the poudre canyon. photo by nicole mcpherson |
During the winter months, when more steam is needed for heating, the turbine will produce nearly 800 kWh. However, during the summer months production drops to approximately 325 kWh.
“We could add more (turbines) and take advantage of more winter load, but it essentially wouldn’t operate in the summer time,” Dollard explained. “So, you can’t justify the capital costs of this nearly million-dollar device if you only use it six months a year.”
Just because CSU will be producing five percent of its electricity without any extra fuel consumption does not mean there is 800 kW of free electricity to burn.
According to Walter Simpson, energy officer at the State University of New York at Buffalo and leader of an energy conservation program that saves his campus $9 million annually: "The greenest kilowatt-hour is the one we never use."
Other gold-worthy efforts by a green campus
Vending machine controllers
CSU retrofitted all refrigerated vending machines containing nonperishable items with motion sensors. If the infrared sensing device does not detect motion near the machine for 15 minutes, the controller will turn off the machine’s lights and refrigerant compressor. The controller does power up the machine every three hours to maintain temperature however. Projected savings: $3,300 per year and 150 tons in carbon dioxide emissions.
South College Gym motion lights
CSU replaced the gym and track lighting with more efficient fluorescent lighting. In addition, every light fixture has its own motion sensor so the amount of lighting is directly connected to activity in the gym. Projected savings: $4,500 per year.
CSU autoclaves get water monitors
Autoclaves are machines that use steam to sterilize equipment. Once the steam is used it must be cooled with cold water to a lower temperature before it’s sent down the drain. Traditionally, cold tap water was left running at nearly four gallons per minute all day long and year round because the autoclaves do not run on a set schedule. To stop the waste, CSU installed temperature monitors that only release cold tap water when it is needed. Savings: $61,000 and 17 million gallons of water, or 26 Olympic-size swimming pools, per year.
Residence halls get wind power
Since 2004, on-campus residents have had the option to purchase 100 percent wind-generated electricity for $17 per year. And no, the power doesn’t go out if the wind stops blowing. Savings: 2,400 pounds in carbon dioxide emissions.
New lights at Veterinary Training Hospital
CSU’s vet hospital recently received more efficient lighting with partial funding from Platte River Power Authority and the City of Fort Collins. Projected savings: $22,000 per year.
