Regents approve power plant

The UW System Board of Regents Executive Committee today, June 27, authorized UW–Madison to finalize negotiations for a natural gas-fired co-generation plant to be located on campus.

Co-generation is the simultaneous production of electricity and thermal energy.

The plant, to be constructed by Madison Gas and Electric with help from Alliant Energy on land that MG&E will lease from the university, would be one of the cleanest and most efficient power plants in the state. It would also help the university work toward its long-term energy needs.

John Harrod, interim assistant vice chancellor for facilities, planning and management, says the plant will supply needed electricity, steam heat and cooling for new campus buildings. In addition, two combustion turbines will produce about 50 megawatts each. The hot gases from the turbines will then be used to generate steam to drive an additional 50-megawatt steam turbine, producing a total of about 150 megawatts of electricity for campus and the Madison area.

Campus building projects already under way — including the BioStar and HealthStar programs — are expected to add 1.7 million square feet of space over the next 10 years that will need electricity and climate control.

“Many of these new projects are intended to boost research and education, as well as contribute to the economic health of the state,” Harrod says. “But they must have adequate infrastructure support if they are to meet their goals.”

The proposed site is on 4.5 acres just north of the existing UW heating plant on the corner Walnut Street and Herrick Drive. The site had already been set aside for a power plant in UW–Madison’s master plan.

The tentative agreement between the UW–Madison and MG&E, which the Executive Committee has now given UW–Madison the authority to finalize, says MG&E will pay for the electricity-generating components of the plant, while the university will pay for the chilled water components that will cool campus buildings. The two will share the cost of the steam heat equipment.

The university’s share of the $177 million project is estimated at $80 million. The university would also have first right of refusal if MG&E were to sell the facility or any of its equipment.

The state Building Commission gave the go-ahead to the project May 15, contingent upon approval from the Board of Regents. The project must also successfully undergo a lengthy regulatory and environmental approval process before the Wisconsin Public Service Commission. The university and MG&E hope to begin construction in early 2003, with the plant coming on line 18 to 24 months later.