Proposed power facility to serve downtown energy needs

A proposal of the UW–Madison, the state Department of Administration, Madison Gas & Electric and Alliant Energy Corporation to build a $170 million power plant on campus could help solve a long-term energy crunch facing the city and university.

The institutions announced today, Dec. 7, their intent to study building a 90-100 megawatt natural gas-fired power facility next to the current campus heating plant on Walnut Street, on the western edge of campus. Potentially the largest public-private partnership for a single facility in university history, the plant would provide both steam and chilled water for heating and cooling campus buildings, and electricity for customers of MGE.

UW–Madison Provost John Wiley says increased heating and air conditioning capacity is essential to the university’s long-term physical plant needs, especially with major building campaigns on the horizon.

“The university is continuing with an unprecedented strategic building plan that began a decade ago, and it’s really testing the limits of our existing utilities,” Wiley says. “This proposed facility represents a very innovative longer-term solution that could benefit the campus and downtown Madison. I look forward to exploring the feasibility of this partnership.”

Adds Wiley: “I also am delighted the university may be able to play an important role in helping increase Wisconsin’s capacity for reliable delivery of electricity. This was highlighted at the recent Economic Summit as one the state’s critical infrastructure needs.”

The concept behind the facility was reviewed today by the Physical Planning Committee of the UW System Board of Regents. A memorandum of understanding prepared by the three parties will be reviewed Wednesday, Dec. 20, by the State Building Commission.

The initial feasibility study is expected to take six to nine months. If results of the study are approved, opportunities for input will include public hearings by the state Public Service Commission and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

“This is an excellent example of government working with private industry to solve a problem while using fewer tax dollars,” Gov. Tommy G. Thompson says. “The university community and Madison residents truly will benefit from this needed project.”

If the project gets final approval by the UW System Board of Regents and the State Building Commission, the two utilities would jointly plan and oversee construction of the facility. After completion, MGE would own and operate the plant.

“Power generated by the plant will stay at home and improve electric reliability to the university and central Madison,” says Gary Wolter, president and chief executive officer of MGE. “The facility will also decrease reliance on the state’s overburdened transmission system.”

“The university is a vitally important asset for the state of Wisconsin,” adds William D. Harvey, Alliant Energy’s executive vice president-generation. “Alliant is pleased we can employ our expertise in power plant management to help the Madison campus pursue its educational mission for years to come.”

Bruce Braun, assistant vice chancellor for facilities planning and management, says that without a substantial upgrade, the university will have reached maximum capacity to heat and cool buildings by 2003. The projects proposed under the BioStar Initiative, for example, would not be possible with existing heating capacity, Braun says.

BioStar calls for the creation of four new bioscience buildings in the Henry Mall area of campus over the next 10 years. Other projects currently in progress include an Interdisciplinary Learning Center for health sciences, a new Pharmacy building and the Engineering Centers building.

Braun says the proposal helps UW–Madison meet its long-term plans for new buildings without requiring an up-front capital financial commitment to expand the heating plant. This avoids competition for scarce GPR capital budget dollars needed for academic facilities.

Other campus issues are raised by the project. The Walnut Street space is currently planned for energy use, but the new facility would displace some instructional and research farming plots. It could also shadow some of the nearby greenhouses along Linden Drive.

Braun says a relocation or redesign is being explored for the greenhouses, which are already slated for major upgrades under a campus plan to enhance research greenhouse space. And new instructional plot space is being explored in other areas on the west campus.

MGE officials say the proposed facility would be one of the most clean and efficient power plants in the state. Under the cogeneration process, heat from burning natural gas would run turbines that generate electricity while the remaining heat produces steam for heating and chilled water for air conditioning. Cogeneration uses significantly less fuel than separate heating and electric plants.

The infrastructure to support the facility is currently in place, including electric transmission lines, a power substation and natural gas lines that serve the immediate area. The facility would be on 4.5 acres of land that the university would lease to MGE.

A proposed natural gas-fired power plant would be built on 4.5 acres just north of the heating station on Walnut Street. The plant will require approval from the Public Service Commission, Department of Natural Resources and other units of government. Depending on the approval process, construction could begin in summer 2002, with the plant coming on line 18 to 24 months later.