Cogeneration Study

Wiley|Wilson provided a feasibility study of back pressure steam turbines for cogeneration to be installed at three steam plants on the James Madison University campus. These units capture energy from the steam during reductions in pressures produced by the boilers to the lower pressures needed for distribution to campus buildings. This improves the overall energy efficiency and provides sustainability improvements along with electrical energy to reduce the amount of power purchased from the utility company.  Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy cost savings were determined for a number of alternatives. Different steam pressures, electrical and fuel rates, and turbine capacities were investigated and life cycle costs were evaluated to determine the optimum selections and recommendations for each location.