Duquesne University Cogeneration Facility Earns Energy Star Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week presented an Energy Star Combined Heat and Power award to Duquesne University Energy Center for using highly efficient CHP systems to reduce energy use and lower greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Duquesne University Energy Cente rin 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, visit the CHP Partnership webpage.