Spring Break
Co-gen keeps it clean and green
Amanda Flitter
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: News
Celebrating a step toward greater energy efficiency, Epping held a ribbon cutting ceremony Feb. 7 in honor of the installation of a co-generation system from Marathon Engine Systems in its town hall.
The system is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent or more while creating an estimated 35 percent cost savings. The system is the first small-scale co-generation system in the United States.
"They've gone into the 21st century with the energy system they have there," said Matthew Fairy, co-owner of Eco Energy Partners, LLC, the company that sold the co-generation system to Epping.
"It has really helped the town make a statement about itself," said Clay Mitchell, a member of the Epping planning board. He said the example has "provided leadership" in energy efficiency and "broken through resistance and opened the door for other people."
Typically, buildings use oil boilers for heat and draw electricity from a main power grid. But co-generation generates two utilities - heat and electricity - from one energy source. For the Epping system, propane fires an engine, which runs a generator that produces electricity. The heat from this process is then captured and used to heat the town hall. While the town hall is still attached to the main power grid, which is run by Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), it only uses enough from the grid to supplement itself.
Mitchell said the meter reader recently came in and asked if the electricity meter was broken because the reading was so low. The town hall has yet to receive its first electricity bill while on the system.
The system was installed as an example for Epping's Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design ordinance, which was passed in March 2007. Under the ordinance, businesses must meet energy efficiency standards for their buildings. The standards are determined by factors such as building size, and there are various ways to meet the standards. According to Mitchell, the ordinance is the first in New Hampshire and one of the first in the United States to be adopted by voters.
The system is expected to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent or more while creating an estimated 35 percent cost savings. The system is the first small-scale co-generation system in the United States.
"They've gone into the 21st century with the energy system they have there," said Matthew Fairy, co-owner of Eco Energy Partners, LLC, the company that sold the co-generation system to Epping.
"It has really helped the town make a statement about itself," said Clay Mitchell, a member of the Epping planning board. He said the example has "provided leadership" in energy efficiency and "broken through resistance and opened the door for other people."
Typically, buildings use oil boilers for heat and draw electricity from a main power grid. But co-generation generates two utilities - heat and electricity - from one energy source. For the Epping system, propane fires an engine, which runs a generator that produces electricity. The heat from this process is then captured and used to heat the town hall. While the town hall is still attached to the main power grid, which is run by Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), it only uses enough from the grid to supplement itself.
Mitchell said the meter reader recently came in and asked if the electricity meter was broken because the reading was so low. The town hall has yet to receive its first electricity bill while on the system.
The system was installed as an example for Epping's Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design ordinance, which was passed in March 2007. Under the ordinance, businesses must meet energy efficiency standards for their buildings. The standards are determined by factors such as building size, and there are various ways to meet the standards. According to Mitchell, the ordinance is the first in New Hampshire and one of the first in the United States to be adopted by voters.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Michael A. Anthony, P.E.
posted 10/12/08 @ 11:16 AM EST
Great story.
Post a Comment