Burn, Baby, Burn!

Fairfield University recently won the largest of 16 grants issued under a new state program to provide financial help for the installation of electric generators, according to a Connecticut Post article. The generators will operate through cogeneration, a new means of creating energy.

Why cogeneration?

A $9.5 million initial investment and is required. But generating all of one's heat and electricity in one place can substantially reduce energy use and help the environment.

Fairfield received a $2.3 million energy grant from the state of Connecticut and an estimated additional $500,000 in other rebates from smaller sources for cogeneration purposes.

Whose idea was this?

The University's Central Utilities Facility (CUF) behind Alumni Hall is what literally keeps the campus running. It, along with the administration, made the decision several months ago to invest in cogeneration technologies.

The University is the town's largest energy user, and cogeneration would cut demand for electricity by nearly half, taking strain off the overworked electrical infrastructures.

"We recognized that there was a lot of positive impact for the campus and the community alike," said Bill Romatzick of CUF.

How does cogeneration work?

Cogeneration is a process in which a fuel, in this case natural gas, is burned in a generator, which turns a turbine to create electricity and power for campus. The heat created from burning the gas is then recycled and distributed throughout campus using an underground pipeline network.

"Fairfield University is fortunate to have an underground power [and heating] system like this. Most schools don't have that," said campus Fire Marshal Joe Bouchard.

What Fairfield and most other institutions currently use is considered "classic generation," where nearly 100 percent of the heat used to generate electricity goes to waste. This means a separate second batch of fuel or electricity must be used to generate heat.

When does it start?

CUF gave the go-ahead to break ground about three weeks ago and has been working ever since. CUF hopes to complete the external shell of the structure and lay the gas lines before the ground freezes.

The sound fence, which will allow the University to keep noise levels at or below 55 decibels outside campus gates, is anticipated to be complete before Thanksgiving.

The goal for the project's completion is March, just as the contracts with gas and electric utilities expire. This will enable the university to place its bets with natural gas futures and lock in the best prices, making the investment even more worth it.

Lauren Zaremba '08 of the Student Environmental Association is pleased with the university's project.

"It's a win-win situation; they get to save money and know that they're helping to preserve our environment in the process," she said. "It makes me more proud to be here knowing that the school is taking the initiative to be green."

Fairfield's socially responsible choice may generate a profitable outcome in the long run, said Bill Auger of CUF.

"This investment will put the university in a very competitive bargaining position down the road in more ways than one," added Auger.