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Cogeneration Facilities Earn Energy Star Award for Significant Energy Savings

Release Date: 06/29/2009
Contact Information: Dave Ryan ryan.dave@epa.gov 202-564-7827 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON - EPA has presented Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP) awards to two organizations for using highly efficient CHP systems to reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. CHP (cogeneration) is 60 to 80 percent more efficient than producing heat and power separately.

Consolidated Edison Company of New York received an award for using a CHP system that produces up to 360 megawatts (MW) of electricity and 3.2 million pounds of steam per hour at their East River Generating Station in Manhattan. The facility is part of the largest district steam system in the country, and is a key component of the infrastructure of New York City. The CHP system operates with an efficiency of nearly 80 percent, better than the industry average, reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions from approximately 150,000 cars.

Duquesne University Energy Center in Pittsburgh received an award for its usage of a 5 MW CHP system. This is Pennsylvania’s first approved distributed generation system (onsite distribution only) for creating alternative energy credits. With an operating efficiency of nearly 65 percent, it effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions from approximately 1,700 autos.

EPA has a CHP partnership that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of power generation. The agency works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other interested parties to support the development of new projects that have significant energy, environmental, and economic benefits.

CHP is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from a single fuel source, such as natural gas, biomass, biogas, coal, waste heat or oil. CHP is not a single technology, but an integrated energy system that can be modified depending upon the needs of the energy user.

Since 1999, EPA has given the Energy Star CHP Award to recognize organizations and institutions that install exceptionally efficient CHP systems. EPA’s CHP partnership seeks to reduce the environmental impact of power generation. EPA works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments and other interested parties to support the development of new projects that have significant energy, environmental, and economic benefits.

More information about the CHP partnership and the awards: https://www.epa.gov/chp/