In 2007, the University of Minnesota decided to build a new source of heating and electricity. Shortly after an underground steam tunnel surprisingly survived the 2007 I-35W Mississippi River bridge collapse, two boilers went offline. This combination convinced the University of Minnesota to invest in a $96 million combined heat and power plant (CHP) in the Old Main Utility Building. This project, projected to be complete in November 2016, will heat the entire campus and provide half of the electricity while reducing the campus’s carbon footprint and saving money.
The University of Minnesota intends to cut carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2020 and attain carbon neutrality by 2050. CHP facilities advance these goals, drastically boosting efficiency by using waste heat from electricity generation. The new CHP plant will allow the University of Minnesota to compete with other large research universities that have already implemented CHP. It also protects research and maintains energy independence from blackouts. Furthermore, recent expansion at the University of Minnesota requires more power.
Another benefit of this venture is renovating Old Main. Once this decommissioned and long-vacant building assumes responsibility for power in 2016, the University of Minnesota’s current power plant, the Southeast Steam Plant, will serve as a backup. Minnesota already boasts 55 CHP systems, which can cover neighborhoods, mixed use developments, and even university campuses.
Project Timeline:
- December 2012: Schematic Design Complete
- January 2014: Abatement Begins
- August 2014: Construction Documents Complete
- February 2014: Demolition Begins
- January 2015: Construction Begins
- November 2016: Construction Complete
