Adelphi Wins Energy Project of the Year Award for Cogeneration

Adelphi’s Integrated Cogeneration Project has earned the Energy Project of the Year award by the Long Island Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE-LI). Robert Shipley, assistant vice president for facilities management, formally accepted the award on behalf of the University on June 4, at the AEE-LI chapter meeting.

In September 2016, Adelphi installed a cogeneration plant to reduce campus emissions of greenhouse gases. Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of two or more forms of energy from a single fuel source. Cogeneration power plants often operate at 50 to 70 percent higher efficiency rates than single-generation facilities. Since its installation, the investment in this power-producing facility has saved the university approximately $1.6 million per year in energy costs.

“The Integrated Cogeneration Project allowed Adelphi to complete a major capital project without taking critical funds away from other projects and programs,” said Shipley. “The 13.5 million dollar project was funded with third-party resources and is being paid back through the energy savings that it produces.”

The cogeneration facility has earned the University $2.4 million in rebates, reduced electric bills by 40 percent and has reduced campus emissions of greenhouse gases by 4,645 metric tons a year.

“The project has greatly improved our resiliency and ability to function during emergencies and has reduced our carbon footprint dramatically” Shipley added. “I am honored to accept this award from the AEE on behalf of Adelphi.”

Learn more about the cogeneration project and about Adelphi’s sustainability efforts overall.