Co-generation plants provide utilities to Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

04.15.2015

Story by Lance Cpl. Thomas Mudd 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. - Co-generation plants are one of the ways the Public Works Department provides power to the Combat Center community. The plants utilize large engines to generate electricity and repurpose the waste-heat created by them to help power buildings on the installation.

The waste-heat is utilized in different ways, making the co-generation plants a useful resource.

“The co-generation plants produce approximately 80 percent of the energy we use on the base,” said Gary Morrissett, utilities and energy management supervisor, PWD. “Together with the solar panels, we are able to generate 90 percent of the base’s power.”

There are two jet-driven co-generation plants located aboard the Combat Center. These facilities use propane and natural gas to run turbines, which power the Combat Center’s electric needs.

“There are two types of co-generation plants; engine driven and jet-engine driven,” Morrissett said. “The co-generation plants we use actually have the capability to keep the base operational without being connected to the Southern California Edison power grid. We have powered all the buildings of the Combat Center for 48 hours at one time.”

Compared to other co-generation plants, the Combat Center’s co-generation plants create fewer emissions. The plants use propane and natural gas to limit the amount of harmful emissions released, which are measured in parts-per million.

“The co-generation plants we use are the least emitting that you can have,” Morrissett said. “They generate about 10 parts-per million in emissions. Other facilities of the same kind, especially older ones, produce approximately 70 parts-per million.”

Parts-per million is the common measurement used for the amount of emissions released in air or water. On top of the Combat Center’s co-generation plants being cleaner than most others, the base’s co-generation plants have also played a part in the quality of life aboard the Combat Center.

“The co-generation plants utilize the waste-heat generated from the plant to be used in place of boilers to heat the buildings and water on base,” Morrissett said.

The waste-heat is utilized as the primary way of heating and air-conditioning aboard the Combat Center.

“The heat also goes into the air conditioning units we have put on most of the buildings.” Morrissett said. “These units boil Lithium Bromide. When it condensates, it actually cools the air, which is then used to cool the building.”

With all of the types of energy the plants create, the Combat Center is able to create and provide a better source of energy, heat, and air-conditioning to the facilities service members utilize aboard the installation.

According to Morrissett, Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., are the only other bases in the Marine Corps with Co-generation plants.

• Date Taken: 04.15.2015
• Date Posted: 04.15.2015 20:56
• Story ID: 160123
• Location: TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US