ENERGY EFFICIENCY DRIVES ENVIRONMENTAL EFFICIENCY CASE STUDY OF THE THERMAL ENERGY CORPORATION ENERGY CENTER AT TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

摘要

While the momentum continues to grow for renewable energy and sustainable solutions it will likely be a long time before we are able to completely wean our energy plants from using fossil fuel. In the meantime, it is important to continue to find ways to use fossil fuel in a more efficient and environmentally sound way. This paper will address an approach to integrating state-of-the-art technology to implement an on-site energy system that generates electric power and thermal energy at significantly higher efficiencies and produces lower emissions than our traditional central generation facilities. Another increasingly important benefit to on-site energy systems is the increased reliability and security an on-site energy plant brings to facilities, especially those that serve or have a critical mission, such as hospitals, data centers or command and control centers. To appreciate the value of this project, it is also important to understand the current energy situation in the State of Texas. A recent analysis prepared by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy projected that over the next 15 years, Texas' population growth will continue at an annual rate of 1.7% through 2023, with the state's economy projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.2%. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) reported that the current forecast is for peak electric energy demand will increase by 2.3% annually from 2007 through 2012. ERCOT predicted the State might be without sufficient generation for peak demands beginning in 20091. The greater Houston area faces the greatest challenges of any of the other regions in Texas because electricity consumption is projected to grow at an annual average of 2.2% over the next 15 years compared with 1.6% per year statewide.