Cornell started up its $82 million new combined heat and power plant this past week -- part of the university's climate change commitment to eliminate coal as an energy source by next year. The plant, which received $1 million in support from NYSERDA, includes two natural gas-fired turbine generators capable of producing 30 MW of electricity. Recycled heat from the turbine exhaust will produce steam to heat the campus. Cornell's goal is to reduce its annual coal consumption by about 60,000 tons, and to reduce carbon emissions associated with its heating and electricity needs by 28 percent over the next 18 months.
