Overview
CCSU Co-Gen-STBY Gen is a 3.6 MW gas power plant in New Britain, Connecticut, owned by Central Connecticut State University. It provides on-site cogeneration and standby power for the university campus.
CCSU Co-Gen-STBY Gen is a gas-fired power generation facility located in New Britain, Connecticut, United States. Owned and operated by Central Connecticut State University, the plant has a capacity of 3.6 MW and serves as a combined heat and power (cogeneration) and standby generation source for the university. Its operational status is active, supporting campus energy needs. The plant operates on natural gas, a cleaner-burning fossil fuel compared to coal or oil. With a capacity of 3.6 MW, it falls into the small-scale category for power generation, typical for institutional cogeneration plants. In the United States, such facilities are subject to federal and state environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act (CAA) and applicable state-level emissions standards. The plant's technology likely includes a gas turbine or reciprocating engine, common for small-scale cogeneration. As an on-site generation asset, CCSU Co-Gen-STBY Gen enhances energy resilience for Central Connecticut State University by providing backup power during grid outages and reducing reliance on purchased electricity. Cogeneration improves overall energy efficiency by capturing waste heat for heating or cooling, lowering the university's carbon footprint. The plant contributes to the local grid stability and supports the educational mission of the university.
Environmental context
The plant's use of natural gas results in lower CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions per MWh compared to coal or oil, but it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Its location on a university campus in a suburban area means proximity to populated areas, though small capacity limits local air quality impact. The cogeneration configuration improves overall efficiency, reducing fuel consumption and emissions relative to separate heat and power generation. Compliance with US EPA regulations under the Clean Air Act ensures emissions controls are in place.
Frequently asked questions
CCSU Co-Gen-STBY Gen is located in New Britain, Connecticut, United States, on the campus of Central Connecticut State University.
It is a gas-fired power plant that operates as a combined heat and power (cogeneration) facility and standby generator, with a capacity of 3.6 MW.
The plant is owned by Central Connecticut State University, which uses it to provide on-site electricity and heat for the campus.
Gas power plants in the US must comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), including National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS). State-level regulations may also apply.
The plant has a capacity of 3.6 megawatts (MW), which is typical for a small-scale institutional cogeneration facility.