Texas Wesleyan University
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth 76105
817-531-4444
https://txwes.edu/
Texas Wesleyan University has started major renovations to its Central Power Plant, a key part of the university’s $6.2 million energy-saving project.
The power plant renovations are projected to save 5.9 million kilowatt hours per year and $377,000 annually on utility costs.
The highlight of the CPP project is a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system, or co-generation system. This system allows for Texas Wesleyan to generate much of its own energy.
“Texas Wesleyan is one of the first universities in North Texas to utilize this type of technology,” said Jeff Lovejoy, project manager for The Way Companies of Houston in a news release. “Co-generation systems are a growing trend — the energy and cost savings are good for the environment and make good business sense.”
The CHP system uses a process called distributed generation that eliminates the cost, complexity, interdependencies and inefficiencies associated with typical power transmission and distribution, according to the school.
“We can now capture otherwise wasted heat from the engine and exhaust and turn it in to energy we can use,” said Brian Franks, executive director of facilities development and operations at Texas Wesleyan. “This energy creates what is essentially free heating and cooling for the campus.”
The new power plant also includes a new 250-ton absorption chiller, new cooling tower, new heating boilers, pumping systems and central plant optimization controls.
Total water savings, which also includes a new irrigation system and improving water usage efficiencies on campus, is projected to be 7.1 million gallons per year.
The project is part of the University’s 2020 Vision, a program to enhance both the campus and the surrounding neighborhood. Over the last two years, Texas Wesleyan has spent more than $20.2 million on campus enhancements. – This report includes material from Fort Worth Business archives.