Need Energy? Make Your Own
YMCA of the North Shore Saves Resources, Operating Costs with Co-Generation
By Emily Tipping
How can you tell if such a system is right for you?
"Look at your overall goals of energy savings and then do your research to understand whether co-generation can be a part of that—and maybe even an integral part of it," Meany said. For example, larger aquatic facilities—which have a lot of pool water to heat—can really benefit from this technology. And new buildings can also reap the rewards. "As you think about designing and paying for new buildings, it can help you afford them, and cut their operating costs," Meany said.
Other Ys, community centers and fitness facilities are also using the technology. For example, American DG Energy Inc. has reached agreements with many facilities, including the Metro YMCAs of the Oranges in Wayne, N.J. (one of the largest associations of YMCAs, serving more than 164,000 members annually) and Club Fit in Jefferson Valley, N.Y.
Learn more at www.americandg.com.
Will It Work for You?
To gain the benefits of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, your facility should have a suitable thermal load, according to American DG Energy's Web site. Here are some of the other characteristics that will make your facility a good fit for this kind of solution:
- The property has more than 120 beds, rooms or units.
- Natural gas is available on-site or nearby, and the property uses a minimum of 4,000 therms per month (especially during the summer months).
- A central boiler plant provides domestic hot water.
- A central plant supplies space heating with hydronic distribution.
- The property has an on-site laundry, food service area or a heated swimming pool.
- The property has a central electric meter.
- The local utility charges more than 10 cents/kWh.
- The property spends more than $10,000 per month on electricity and $3,000 per month on natural gas.
There are exceptions, but the company reports that CHP works well for businesses located in the Northeast, California and Hawaii, where electricity prices are high. The Gulf Coast is a strong market as well.
--Source: American DG Energy Inc.