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University of Michigan Decarbonization / Central Power Plant Expansion - 16.5 MW CHP Addition - - Case Study
The University of Michigan (U-M) is a public research university. Founded in 1817, U-M is the oldest and largest university in Michigan. It was established 20 years before the territory became a state. Since 1871, U-M has been a coeducational institution. Today, it enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate and 16,000 graduate students.
The Central Power Plant (CPP), located on campus, is a highly efficient and reliable source of steam, electricity, compressed air, and domestic hot water for the university`s central and medical campuses. U-M completed an expansion of the CPP in January 2022 to enhance electric service reliability while advancing the university`s decarbonization goals. The expansion project added a 16.5 MW (rated capacity) natural gas-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) unit (combustion turbine/generator with heat recovery), replaced and upgraded the 1 3.2 kV on campus electrical switchgear, and installed two natural gas compressors capable of providing the high-pressure natural gas required to operate the onsite combustion gas turbines.
