Brock University
IN-47: Innovation A

Brock University recently completed its District Energy Efficiency Project (DEEP), which has upgraded and modernized the University’s co-generation facility – a reliable and energy-efficient source of electricity, heating, and cooling on campus. As part of DEEP, Brock added Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system on each engine exhaust to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and non-methane hydrocarbons. Another example of environmental improvements made through DEEP is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 15% via increased engine efficiency.

Brock’s innovative 7.9 MW natural gas-fired cogeneration plant produces power to cover most of the Main Campus’ needs. Each of these four 2750 HP internal combustion engines produces up to 1,976 Kilowatts of electricity at 4160 volts. This power is used for lighting and research equipment operation, building ventilation systems, operation of cafeterias, etc. As the generators produce power, for every 1 Kilowatt of electricity produced approximately 3,412 btu/h is also generated for a total of up to 6.7MMbtu/h of heat per engine. The recovered heat from the cogeneration engines is used to feed the campus hot water heating system. Hot water is less carbon-intensive than steam production. Hot water is used to heat many campus buildings during winter and produce domestic hot water around campus. In the summertime, the recovered heat is converted by a Lithium Bromide Absorption Chiller to produce chilled water which is used for campus air conditioning systems.