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2005 - PES receives engineering contract for integrated energy
micro-grid in Wayne, NJ
PES was awarded a contract from Wayne Township, NJ to examine the
technical, operational, and economic feasibility of constructing
a cogeneration system, a district thermal loop, a solar (PV) electricity
system, and investing in energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits
for 6 buildings, housing over 10 township departments and services,
situated on a campus that is over 55 acres. The contract also provides
for PES to continue as "owners" and engineers for Wayne
Township. In assuming such roles, PES will develop performance specifications,
manage the bid process, and oversee construction and operations
of the system.
This project would be one of the first in the nation to employ
a variety of advanced energy saving systems together with clean
and reliable on-site electric generation. The project is intended
to be a comprehensive and integrated solution to the challenge of
providing reliable energy in an affordable and sustainable manner.
Energy efficiency, cogeneration and renewable energy will be combined
in a holistic, systems approach to achieve long-term cost savings,
enhanced energy reliability and improved environmental quality for
Wayne Township. The project will also feature a micro-grid that
will reliably and safely distribute locally generated, clean electricity
while reducing inefficiencies inherent in sending power through
long transmission and distribution lines. The project will also
contain a thermal (hot and chilled water) distribution system thermal
that will allow the excess heat from the engines that power the
generator to heat the campus buildings with hot water, as well as
and cool them by utilizing a thermal chilling system that uses waste
heat to produce chilled water.
The project will also contain an educational component. Courses
of study will include the science and technology of traditional
energy generation vs. cogeneration and renewable energy. Environmental
studies courses will incorporate lessons on the emission reductions
associated with co-generated electricity and renewable sources such
as solar photovoltaics (PV), wind and geothermal. The political
and economic issues surrounding energy in a dynamic changing world
can be incorporated into social studies programs.
In addition to education within the classroom, an interactive website
will also help those in the community learn about the advantages
of clean, renewable energy and cogeneration. The website will contain
complete explanations and graphic displays of the elements of Wayne
Campus Cogeneration and Renewable Energy Project's operations. Real-time
overview of the operation and summarized data on a daily, weekly
and historical basis will be available. The types of information
that will be available include renewable and co-generated energy
produced, energy sold, energy purchased, estimated reductions in
greenhouse gases, operating cost, and estimated system savings.
To improve the efficiency of the project, as well as making it
as simple as possible to operate, a new cogeneration building will
be constructed to house the engines, electrical switchgear, thermal
chillers, and boilers. The building will also accommodate a control
room, office space, and a classroom to facilitate onsite learning.
The project will be beneficial to both the residents of Wayne and
the environment. It is expected to save taxpayers more than $16
million over the next twenty years while also significantly reducing
harmful emissions and decreasing our reliance on non-renewable fuels
from politically unstable areas of the world.
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