The Utilities team plans for University of Massachusetts’ future energy needs while it maintains electricity, heating, and cooling resources for the campus on a daily basis. This group runs the Central Heating Plant, which produces most of the electricity, steam, and chilled water used on campus.
The Central Heating Plant is located at 200 Mullins Way, Amherst, MA 01003. It was completed in 2009. The Central Heating Plant (CHP) replaced the campus’s 80-year-old coal-burning power plant and has helped to reduce the campus’s greenhouse gases by approximately 27% (FY2013). It has a 10-megawatt combustion turbine, a heat recovery steam generator, a 4-megawatt steam turbine, and three natural gas boilers. The plant provides electricity for 70% of the campus and provides 100% of the steam that is needed for heating and cooling for buildings across campus.
Awards
The plant has received several awards, including: the Combined Cycle Journal Pacesetter Award for the best combined heat and power plant project in the U.S. in 2008, the Sustainable Campus Leadership Award from the International District Energy Association in 2009, and the Combined Heat and Power Energy Star Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2011. The CHP added a solar hot water system in 2016, which reduces fossil fuel usage by preheating condensate water used in the steam making process.
Tour The Plant
To visit the the Central Heating Plant (CHP) and learn about Steam Engineering, contact Darren Lenois, Plant Manager, Facilities Management at @email or 413-545-8986 or Jeremy Hill, Assistant Plant Manager, at 413-313-5133 or @email.
Tours of the CHP are by appointment. They are usually scheduled between 8am - 2pm weekdays. The CHP is located at 200 Mullins Way, Amherst, MA 01003. We welcome University professors, students and staff and visitors from the community (high school students, teachers, plumbers) to tour the CHP.
Contacts
Plant Manager
Provides steam heat and electrical power to campus by means of a combine cycle plant. The Central Heating Plant has three boilers, capable of firing natural gas and ultra-low number two fuel oil at 125,000 pounds per hour each and one heat recovery steam generator for an additional 100,000 pounds per hour. Total annual steam generated approaches 1.2 billion pounds. Electrical power is supplied by two generators that can produce a total of 14 megawatts. One generator is driven by a combustion turbine; the other is driven by a steam turbine.
Electrical Maintenance
Electrical Supervisor: Dave Schoen
Provides oversight of exterior electrical distribution system for all campus buildings involving the distribution of 20 Megawatts of power with an an approximant yearly usage of 112,000,000 kwh at an annual cost of roughly $7.7 Million. Provides maintenance and repair of all system components: transformers, switches, poles, street lights, traffic lights, breakers, transfers, and associate equipment. Works closely with off-campus utilities (Western Electric) to insure continuity of quality and quantity of power is maintained.
Mechanical Maintenance
Mechanical Supervisor: Tom Fydenkevez
Tom manages the campus Dig Safe program for on-campus Dig Safe requests. Maintains and repairs the 26 miles of the campus steam distribution and condensate return systems; replaces steamlines; performs the annual steam shutdown maintenance project.
Maintains and repairs the 35 miles of the campus water distribution system; provides all backflow prevention protection for the campus; maintains and repairs campus irrigation systems; and maintains and repairs campus fire hydrants.
Maintains and repairs the campus sewer system from the building outlet to Town of Amherst sewerage treatment plant. Maintains and repairs the campus storm water piping and catch basin system; works with Design & Construction Management on new capital projects (i.e., steamline replacements, roadways, and new buildings).
Campus Electrical Utility Engineer
Steve monitors and analizes campus electrical energy and power quality; he provides engineering support for campus electrical systems maintenance and operation. He also oversees building commissioning and electrical utility design standards.
Campus Metering and Controls Engineer
Peter installs, calibrates, and maintains campus electrical metering systems and provides monthly campus utilities usage reports. He leads the engineering design and project management of campus controls systems. Peter also provides electrical controls system support to the Central Heating Plant.
Assistant Plant Manager
Jeremy Hill - 413-545-8065
