What it means to be green…

NYU Green Action Plan

• One of the nation’s largest wind-credit purchases (118 million kWh)

• The Next Generation of CoGeneration (CHP)

• Sustainability = Recycle, Re-use, Understand your impact on the environment

CoGeneration…The Next Generation is CHP

Combined Heat and Power Production (CHP)

• More Efficient• Clean Energy• Fuel Conservation

CHP is the simultaneous production of electricity and useful thermal energy (let’s learn more!)

“CHP can increase operational efficiency and decrease energy costs, while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to

climate change.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Conventional Generation

30% of energy input (fuel) converted to energy output (electricity)

70% loss of energy (as heat) emitted to environment

CHP (turns the formula around by using the wasted heat)

70 to 90% of energy input (fuel) converted to energy output (electricity and heat)

10 to 30% loss of energy

Runs on natural gas, and sometimes low sulfur fuel

Conventional Generation

Fuel 100%

(Remote from thermal users)

Pollution

Power Plant

30% Electricity

70% Waste Heat

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

(On or near thermal user sites)

CHP Plants

Electricity

70-90% Steam

Chilled Water

Pollution

Fuel 100%

10-30% Waste Heat

CoGeneration at NYUCoGeneration at NYUCurrent CoGeneration Operation• 30 year old equipment (was good at the time)• Runs mainly on diesel fuel• Supplies electricity to 7 University buildings• By 2008, need the plant to be retired in order to meet environmental

code

NYU Decision to invest in CoGeneration/CHP• Large initial capital investment ($110 – 120 million)• Responsible investment because of immediate environmental benefits

and long-term financial benefits • Expand capacity to supply energy to 30 University buildings• Removal of University buildings from over-burdened ConEdison lines

If NOT CoGeneration/CHP• Was alternative to take current CoGen off-line and NOT replace with

new CoGen…but,• $60 million to take current plant off-line, reconnect buildings to

ConEdison lines and install local generators and fuel tanks to meet life safety and critical load emergency power requirements

• Similar construction impact but with very negative implications for the environment

• Machinery would need to be added (likely to rooftops) of University buildings

Environmental Benefits of NYU’s CoGeneration/CHP Plans

Pollutant *Con Edison

**New CoGen

PlantReductio

n

% Reduct

ion

(tons) (tons) (tons)

CO2 150000 92500 57500 38%

Regulated Pollutants 1400 240 1160 83%

Particulate Matter 462 60 402 87%

* Emissions factors based on NYSERDA published data** Based on similar load capacity as new plant

Environmental Benefits

38% Reduction in CO2• CO2 seen as leading cause of global warming

83% Reduction in Regulated Pollutants• NOx – causes smog• SOx – causes acid rain• Carbon Monoxide

87% Reduction in Particulate Matter• Leading cause of asthma, particularly a problem

for children

NYU’s Planned CoGeneration/CHP Plant

is equivalent to…

NYU planting 7.8 million trees

NYU eliminating emissions from 5.8 million gallons of gas burned per year

Removing 10,000 cars from the roads per year

“It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” Kermit the Frog

Long-term benefits require up-front investment

Capital Investment (NYU)

Patience Investment (NYU and Community)

CoGeneration/CHP Location

Plant underneath Warren Weaver Hall251 Mercer St.

Two options for new plant location– Mercer Street– Gould Plaza

Mercer Street OptionProsEmpty space/earth where plant can be locatedUltimate improvement to Mercer PlazaCommunity input on ultimate plaza designAll equipment fits below groundNo loss of classroom space for the UniversityMercer Street wider and would allow project work to take

place without full street closing

ConsDisruption to neighbors on Mercer StreetMore expensive construction project than Gould Plaza optionTemporary loss of trees in the immediate areaMercer street partially closed

Gould Plaza OptionProsLess disruption to Mercer neighborsEasier construction sitePotential for shorter construction time frame

ConsMore disruption to very compacted area on West 4th Street and

Washington Square Village West 4th Street a smaller street, full street would have to be

closed at timesPermanent loss of 15 classrooms (approx. 15,000 square feet)Immediate classroom relocation a difficulty, would most likely

need variances to allow the relocationClassrooms are used primarily by one school (Stern School of

Business); moving classrooms out of Stern’s building will cause complications for scheduling classes; and increases above ground foot traffic as students shuffle between classes

Not all equipment fits below ground; portions of equipment would have to be located above ground on 3rd Street

Expanding the conversation about Trees

If Mercer option pursued:

25 trees in current area• Manhattan Forestry/NYC Parks Department

overseeing and directing options for trees during project

• For trees that are removed and can not be replanted (for size, age and quarantine reasons): University pays to plant the equivalent # of new trees in Community Board #2 area

• University plants new (mature) trees at the end of the project

New Mercer St. Park

Mature trees, up to 30 feet tall can be planted

Plaza will be greener, nicer and more user-friendly

Heating vents will go away

Whole area benefits from beautification

London Plane Tree

At Halka Tree Nursery, NJ

30 foot high, 10 inch caliper

Oak Tree

Planted spring 2005, photographed summer 2006

28 foot high, 8 inch caliper

Honeylocust Tree

Planted November 2005, photo June 2006

22 foot high, 6.5 inch caliper

Honeylocust Tree

At Halka Tree Nursery, NJ

25 foot high, 7 inch caliper

Mercer Plaza transforms into Mercer ParkMercer Plaza transforms into Mercer Park