NEWS

By STEPHANIE GUNTER
UNC News Services

CHAPEL HILL – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s cogeneration facility for promoting efficient energy use.

UNC, along with the University of Michigan, received the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award that recognizes exemplary cogeneration projects for increasing the nation’s electric generation efficiency. The University of Missouri-Columbia received the Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Certificate of Recognition. The campuses were honored Feb. 11 during a ceremony in San Diego.

In 2000 UNC received a certificate from the departments in recognition of its project’s ability to demonstrate leadership in environmental performance. Programs that receive certificates are not required to meet all award standards set by the EPA.

"I think it’s an honor to be recognized twice in such an elite program," said Raymond E. DuBose, director of energy services. "To receive recognition twice in a four year period emphasizes the clean and efficient operation we have at cogeneration systems."

Cogeneration produces significant environmental benefits, said Tom Kerr, chief of the energy supply and industry branch of the EPA, who will present the awards.

"Cogeneration uses less fuel, so you have less emissions," he said. "When you burn less fuel, you’re also saving money."

UNC’s cogeneration facility, located off Cameron Avenue, was completed in 1992. It uses advanced technology called circulating fluidized combustion, making it one of the cleanest coal-burning facilities in that nation, said DuBose, who accepted the award on behalf of the university.

The facility burns coal to generate and distribute steam to the campus and UNC Hospitals through about 40 miles of steam pipes and 10 miles of chilled water pipes. Steam is used for heating and cooling, as well as for heating domestic hot water, sterilization, humidification, cooking and cleaning. The plant also generates about one-third of the university’s electricity; the rest is purchased from Duke Power.

"The primary purpose of the facility is to produce all the steam for the university and UNC Hospitals," DuBose said. "We produce electricity as a byproduct of the steam, so we can produce it a lot cheaper."

UNC’s heating and air conditioning system serves about 200 campus buildings containing more than 14 million square feet of floor space, DuBose said. The plant is capable of producing 750,000 pounds of steam per hour, while its generator can produce 28 megawatts of electricity.

"Our combined heat and power technology provides for beneficial use twice the energy from a pound of coal than does the average power plant in the United States, he said.

DuBose said since the university uses steam for heat during the winter and for air conditioning in the summer, the facility can generate power for little additional cost.

"Our cogenerated power costs less than a penny per kilowatt hour compared to purchased power cots of about 4.3 cents," he said.

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(Gunter, of Raleigh, is a senior majoring in journalism and mass communication.)

Contact: Raymond DuBose, (919) 966-4100, ray.dubose@energy.unc.edu
News Services Contact: Mike McFarland, (919) 962-8593, mike_mcfarland@unc.edu