Reasons for the project
- Cornell's central heating plant is in need of renewal. This project will accomplish the necessary renewal in the most energy-efficient, cost-effective, and reliable manner available to Cornell.
- The central heating plant needs increased steaming capacity as Cornell continues to construct and renovate facilities. This is needed even though Cornell has undertaken an aggressive energy conservation program.
- This project will provide Cornell with fuel flexibility, so that annual energy costs can be managed more effectively. Having natural gas available as a significant energy source will reduce Cornell's primary reliance on coal.
- This project would add highly efficient electric generation capacity in the state and provide back-up power to Cornell during a regional outage.
- Cornell has made a commitment to cost effectively strive toward reducing CO2 emissions consistent with the Kyoto Protocol. This project would complement the growing portfolio of sustainability initiatives being pursued by the university.
Anticipated emission savings
This project will significantly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and acid rain precursors associated with Cornell's operations. It is anticipated that this project will accomplish the following annual reductions due to the offset of on-site coal combustion and grid power:
BACK TO THE TOPCO2 - 50,000 tons/yr
NOx - 250 tons/yr
SO2 - 800 tons/yr
