A new future in power generation for Johnson Space Center

On Oct. 22, Johnson Space Center hosted the ground-breaking celebration for the new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. Instead of having an on-site boiler that produces heat while simultaneously purchasing electricity from the grid, JSC will have a combined system that produces both types of energy in a much more efficient way. The CHP uses natural gas to generate 11.7 megawatts of electrical power while the waste heat from combustion will generate up to 100,000 pounds per hour of steam and 6,000 tons of chilled water.
 
As part of an interagency collaboration, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded JSC a $1 million grant to provide direct funding for the project and assisted the center in the preparation and evaluation of the contract and specifications for the CHP. This is the first combined heat and power deployed anywhere at NASA.

“It’s a great thing,” said Joel Walker, director of Center Operations. “All the other centers and Headquarters are very interested in this project and how it can help not only JSC meet its energy goals, but all of NASA.”

In addition, it will reduce JSC’s carbon footprint and help the center meet the energy intensity and conservation goals set by the White House.
 
The CHP will help JSC improve energy security and reliability by generating approximately 70 percent of the center’s base-load energy needs on-site. In emergency situations, JSC can operate in “island mode” and keep all critical functions operational. It can also provide a refuge for employees after a disaster.

“The ability to help our community helps our employees and helps us get back to work faster,” Walker said. “That’s a great added bonus for us.”
 
“This is a new way of thinking about utilities at JSC, now and in the future,” said JSC Utilities Manager Melissa McKinley. “As our center changes, this new process will allow us to adapt to new programs, new requirements and new ways of being flexible. CHP is a part of JSC’s future.”
 
Construction is already underway, and the CHP will go online in the spring of 2017.