Advantages and Applications of Hybrid Cooling
Facilities with a central plant in an area with high on-peak electricity rates and low natural gas prices can benefit from a hybrid approach. A hybrid plant offers the flexibility of developing a cooling equipment operating strategy that takes advantage of the lowest cost energy option on an hourly and daily basis. The dual fuel capability of hybrid plants ensures reliable service when continuous operation is critical. The lower on-peak demand and flatter load profile of hybrid plants also puts owners in a favorable position for negotiating lower off-peak electric rates.
Hybrid cooling systems give you the best of electricity and natural gas in a deregulated world. The following case studies demonstrate what happens when gas technologies are applied to real-world situations.
The following case studies require Adobe® Acrobat® Reader which is available here.
Case Studies:
Hospital saves space and dollars with YORK®prescription – Washington, DC
York package of steam-turbine and electric chillers plus construction, project management and financing is just what the doctor ordered.
CNN Center Cashes In On Energy Savings With New Hybrid Cooling Plant – Atlanta, GA
CNN is making news and taking advantage of real-time pricing by replacing one of its three electric centrifugal chillers with a natural gas engine-driven chiller.
Hybrid cooling offers these important advantages:
- Lowers overall cooling costs
- Fuel-choice flexibility during service interruptions
- Equipment first-cost offset by savings
- Paybacks ranging from 1 to 5 years
- Strengthens electric rate negotiating position due to decreased load profile
- Improved redundancy
- Automated controls optimize plant efficiency
Hybrid Electric-Steam Chiller Plant Cools Maryland Basketball Arena – College Park, MD
College scores a win by using excess steam from its cogeneration plant to meet variable cooling load of its multi-purpose facility with electric and steam turbine drive centrifugal chillers.
Pasadena Corporate Center Chooses Direct-Fired Absorption
Integrating separate chiller plants with electric centrifugal and absorption chillers provides flexibility with changing conditions of load, weather and economics.
Central Plant Serves 12-Building dupage office absorpComplex – DuPage County Governmental Complex, IL
Flexibility is the hallmark of central plant and chilled water distribution system. Dual fuel boilers provide steam to absorption chiller as it shares base load and peaking duties with electric centrifugal chiller plant.
Chicago High-Rise Property Selects Hybrid Plant for Chiller Replacement
Combination chiller plant improves negotiating position with energy suppliers and comfort of tenants.
Pierce College Faces Comfort Challenge – Los Angeles, CA
With temperatures reaching 108o, air conditioning is essential to foster a productive learning environment. A hybrid chiller plant with natural gas absorption and electric centrifugal chillers answered the need on a sprawling and growing campus.
Natural gas for flexibility and savings — Schwan’s Super Rink Blaine, MN
Natural gas engine-driven chiller and desiccant dehumidification fueled by engine waste heat keep ice and air clear and costs down.
South Jersey Healthcare – Bridgeton, NJ
Noise can be a problem in a hospital environment. So can high and fluctuating energy costs. A new hybrid chiller system cured both problems at South Jersey Healthcare.
University officials felt a hybrid chiller system would help them negotiate better prices from both their gas and electric utilities.
Building boasts a one-of-a-kind tri-fuel plant that uses electric-, steam- and natural gas-powered chillers to meet increased cooling demands and achieve substantial savings in energy costs.
Reduced emergency generator needs results in payback period of less than two months thanks to natural gas cooling.
Natural Gas Cooling Works Day and Night to Cool Montgomery College
Rockville, Maryland college uses gas chiller for ice production at night and to shave peak demand charges by day.
Camden, New Jersey Aquarium’s Cooling System Protects Sea Life and the State Operating Budget
Local utility’s demand side management program lowers aquarium’s operating costs and helps utility manage its load.