| The power generation facility at Iowa State University, in Ames, Iowa, produces electricity for the campus, as well as heating and air conditioning through steam extraction. |
| Iowa State University: The Expanded Legacy of Co-Generation |
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BACK WHEN THOMAS EDISON used to send light bulbs to college
campuses, Iowa State University in Ames was generating its own
electricity to test them. This concept of co-generation got a foothold
in central Iowa 116 years ago, long before the term was coined. And now
the university has expanded on that legacy. In 1891, Iowa State utilized reciprocating steam engines to generate electricity and supply steam for heating campus buildings. Now in the 21st century, the university remains an even stronger proponent of co-generation and with a far more sophisticated system capable of generating all of the electrical needs of this renowned engineering and agricultural institution. Not only does it provide the energy for its peak load of 34 megawatts, the equipment now in place provides heating and air-conditioning through steam extraction. “Our system heats all of the main campus,” said Jeff Witt, assistant director of utilities for the university. The school was founded in 1858, became the country's first land grant college in 1864 and now has a student body of more than 25,000. Until two years ago,
the school wasn't quite capable of meeting its peak load demands, until
it installed a 10-stage frame RD7MPQ steam turbine by Tuthill Energy
Systems of Burlington, Iowa. (In 2005, Dresser-Rand acquired certain
assets of Tuthill Energy Systems, an international manufacturer of
single and multistage steam turbines and portable ventilators under the
Coppus, Murray and Nadrowski brands.) |
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