Co-Generation
The whole concept behind co-generation at York is to increase our resource efficiency and lower operating costs. Co-generation uses a single fuel source, natural gas, to produce electricity and heat. Co-generation is a cheaper alternative than simply purchasing electricity and heat separately, because it makes use of the “waste” heat that would normally be expelled in the process. In York’s case, for every 1 kilowatt of electricity which is produced, approximately 1.6 kilowatts of heat is generated. York’s co-generation plant has two gas turbines. Each turbine turns a generator that produces around 5,000 Kilowatts of electricity at 13.8 kilovolts. The plant produces approximately 60% of Keele Campus’ electricity requirements. The remaining 40% is purchased.
![Chiller](https://www.yorku.ca/facilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/12/Chiller-1024x735.jpg)
The recovered heat from the cogeneration plant has many uses. One of them is to produce cold water, which we use to cool the buildings in the summer.
![High Pressure Steam](https://www.yorku.ca/facilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/12/Boiler-1024x768.jpg)
We also warm the domestic hot water (the water you shower & wash your hands in) from the recovered heat.
![Boiler Feed Water](https://www.yorku.ca/facilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/12/Boiler-Feed-Water-1024x768.jpg)
Another use from the recovered heat is to heat the swimming pool & heat the buildings during winter.