Geisinger Showcases Natural Gas-Fueled CHP System
The Daily Item reports that Geisinger Health System recently provided business and community leaders a behind-the-scenes tour of its Danville campus’ Advanced Energy Plant.
The Plant consists of a natural gas-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) system and steam chiller plant, which “essentially allows Geisinger to heat and cool its 2 million-square-foot Danville campus for free due to the energy savings.”
“With co-generation, a fuel such as natural gas is burned in a furnace to create heat, which is used to boil water and make the steam that drives a turbine and creates electricity. But the steam is not released and instead is piped through the system for heat,” explains the Daily Item.
Geisinger calls its Energy Plan a “win-win-win,” as it benefits the environment and public health, as well as saves the health system money.
In terms of the environment, Geisinger says they’ve cut 62,000 tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions thanks to the efficiency of on-site natural gas-fueled electric generation.
The cogeneration scheme has been so successful that it’s now being integrated into a new $18 million central utility plant for Geisinger’s Wyoming Valley Medical Center.
Last year, American Builders Quarterly profiled Geisinger’s Danville Energy Plant. They reported, “the cogeneration scheme has been so successful that it’s now being integrated into a new $18 million central utility plant for Geisinger’s Wyoming Valley Medical Center.”
In attendance at the recent facility tour was state Rep. Lynda Schlegel-Culver, R-108, of Sunbury, Pa. Praising the natural gas-fueled plant, Schlegel-Culver said, “This should now be the example for all business, industry and homeowners. It’s better for the planet, for health. This model is where everyone wants to go.”