Combined Heat and Power Hospital - Dell Children`s Medical Center - Case Study

OWNER
Austin Energy

LOCATION
Austin, Texas, USA

PRODUCT
Mercury" 50 (4.6 MWe) Gas Turbine

CUSTOMER VALUE
Sustainable Energy Production

Dell Children`s Hospital was looking for an innovative and environmentally friendly approach to their energy program At the same time, the hospital wanted to improve the reliability of their electricity and reduce power transmission losses.

The decision was made to install a combined heat and power (CHP) plant to provide the hospital with power, chilled water and steam with a state-of-the art 4.6 MW Mercury 50 recuperated gas turbine generator set as the heart of the plant. The Mercury 50 was chosen because it provides maximum system efficiency, operational flexibility, and reliability with a low carbon footpnnt. The CHP system generates electricity and thermal energy from the same fuel source, reducing the amount of fuel burned and air pollution. In addition, the plant makes use of reclaimed water for cooling. The energy plant produces the electricity, chilled water and steam necessary to provide 100% of the hospital`s energy needs even if the local utility grid expenences an outage.

In January 2009, Dell Children`s Medical Center made green building history by becoming the first hospital in the United States to receive the prestigious LEED Platinum certification. LEED Platinum is the Green Building Councils highest award.