Jan 6 2010
The new University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP) will be provided with efficient energy services by the NRG Energy through its subsidiary unit NRG Thermal. The acute-care hospital, which has 237 single patient rooms, is under construction in Plainsboro and is expected to be operational by the end of the year 2011.
Services will be provided by NRG from its Combined Heat and Power Plus (CHP Plus) program as per the 13-year agreement signed by the company. A combined heat and power system will be used by the hospital for its electricity requirements. This system also possesses the capability of producing steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning that is obtained from a thermal energy storage system. Solar power generation and energy-saving “smart meters” are the other “green” elements provided along with backup power.
Barry Rabner, CEO and President of Princeton HealthCare System, remarked that the CHP Plus program provides the hospital with environmentally sustainable energy while achieving its goal of providing high-quality health care. Rabner stated that the hospital’s energy requirements will be completely met by NRG that will also help in protecting the environment and reducing the operating costs of the hospital.
The CHP Plus system will provide energy at lower costs, optimal energy efficiency by the usage of appropriate meters that monitor and adjust the consumption of energy and it will also lead to the creation of 125 construction jobs and a number of permanent employment opportunities. Enhanced reliability and total redundancy for the hospitals power requirements will be provided by the CHP facility. The UMCP replacement facility at Plainsboro will be able to access the power generated by CHP as the principal source and this power will be totally backed up by the local utility power. In addition, crucial areas of the hospital are backed up with emergency generators. The CHP systems structural elements are subject to the approval by Plainsboro Township Planning Board.
David Crane, CEO and President of NRG Energy, remarked that the company considers it an honor to be part of the Princeton HealthCare System’s team in developing a hospital possessing energy efficient systems with advanced features.