Montefiore News Releases
Home >  Newsroom >  Montefiore News Releases
Print

Newsroom

Montefiore News Releases

February 27, 2013

Cogeneration Power Plant Ensures Uninterrupted Patient Care

NEW YORK (February 27, 2013) – Montefiore Medical Center today said it has been recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as one of five winners of the annual ENERGY STAR Combined Heat and Power (CHP) award. CHP, also known as cogeneration, simultaneously produces electricity and useful heat from a single energy source. Montefiore was selected for its cogeneration power plant capabilities on the Moses Campus that ensure sustainable energy, even during a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy.

“Ninety percent of our power is produced through our co-gen plant, so patient care at Montefiore’s Moses Campus, which includes The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, was without interruption before, during and after the hurricane,” said Paul Jennings, senior director of engineering, Montefiore Medical Center. “Montefiore’s facilities were powered and ready to assist in any way possible, which included receiving several patients from other hospitals impacted by the storm.”

Montefiore has the longest running co-gen facility of any New York City hospital. It not only produces power for Montefiore, but also regularly exports power back to the Consolidated Edison grid. The facility also generates steam that is used to heat water and regulate the temperature in the buildings.

“Montefiore is a forward-thinking institution and made the decision 18 years ago to invest in sustainable energy through cogeneration power,” Jennings said. “Not only does the plant provide added protection so power will not be an issue, but it also offers benefits such as steam outputs that are used to heat water throughout the hospital.”

Montefiore’s co-gen plant uses 26 percent less fuel than electricity that is supplied by the power grid. The enclosed system also prevents emissions from air pollutants and reduces demands on New York City’s electric power transmission and distribution system.

“Our Energy Star CHP award winners are better serving their students and patients while safeguarding the environment,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation. “These institutions are protecting their critical operations from power outages and our climate from harmful carbon pollution with more reliable and more efficient CHP systems.”