September 14, 2005—Honeywell has completed installation of a prototype cooling, heating and power (CHP) generation system at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, N.C., designed to improve energy infrastructure, reduce energy consumption and increase energy security, the company says.
Initiated by the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) at Fort Bragg and developed with the Department of Energy (DOE) through Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the new system uses energy recycling to achieve an estimated 70 percent overall energy efficiency—a considerable improvement over the 35 to 40 percent efficiency typical with centrally generated electricity sources, Honeywell says.
The installation represents a significant advance in energy management and is projected to reduce Fort Bragg energy costs by $1.8 million per year, says Honeywell.
The new, $11-million CHP system is an integrated system built around a five-megawatt gas turbine generator coupled with an innovative heat recovery steam generator and absorption chiller. Waste heat produced during combustion of natural gas fuel, which drives the turbine generator, is directed to either the heat recovery steam generator or absorption chiller. The steam generator uses waste heat to produce steam for heating and hot water, and the chiller converts the waste heat to chilled water used for air conditioning. The ultra-efficient design is the first of its kind, Honeywell says.
Advanced control software developed by Honeywell optimizes individual component operation and system interaction, further reducing overall energy consumption and cost. The heat, hot water and cooling is supplied to barracks and other buildings in the area, resulting in better living and working conditions at significant cost savings. The upgrade also increases energy security. For more information about Honeywell Building Solutions, visit the Web site.
