A new Comprehensive Energy Master Plan for Purdue is being finalized. It makes recommendations for cutting use and increasing production and distribution to meet the demands of the West Lafayette campus.
Total funding to do all projects suggested is nearly $105 million over the next decade. But Vice President for Physical Facilities Bob McMains says there are a few priority items that should be done.
He says that includes a combined heat and power (CHP) unit to replace a coal-fired boiler.
"The initial thrust will be to create electricity and with the waste heat we'll be creating steam, so we can help to produce the electricity we'll need. Then as we move to more electric chillers, we'll have the energy need to feed the electric chillers”
The CHP unit would cost about $26 million, which McMains says would come from money set aside for a new coal boiler the university decided not to install.
A 30 day public comment period is open for the Comprehensive Energy Master Plan and a hearing is set for February 15 at 7pm.
To review the plan and find out how to comment, go HERE.