Cogeneration Plant
On May 28th, we visited the Gator Power Cogeneration plant on campus. This particular cogeneration plant uses natural gas to heat water that, when turned to steam, spins turbines to produce electricity. 86% of the water they use originates from reclaimed water generated at the on-campus waste water treatment plant. The plant typically produces 46 MW of electricity at any given time (large scale power plants can produce upwards of 300MW); this electricity powers an extensive area of the University of Florida campus, however it is not enough electricity to power the school in its entirety. This Cogeneration plant has approximately nine employees on rotation with three being on-site at all times. Cogeneration is typically considered a cleaner form of power because it uses natural gas to produce steam (as opposed to coal) ; the proximity of its power distribution and the use of reclaimed water also add to its efficiency. The bioenergy school was able to receive a full tour of the facility, of which a great deal of the actual work is conducted in the control room where systems are critically monitored by computer. A very important aspect of the operation of the cogeneration plant is the rate that they can lock in natural gas prices. Utility companies such as GRU are constantly wheeling their supply and demand so as to make sure they always have gas when they need it, while also selling excess supply or excess electricity back into the grid.