Montclair State University

Site

Montclair, New Jersey

Project

UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MICROGRID – COMBINED HEATING, COOLING AND POWER

Role

DBOOM, EPC Contractor, Operate & Maintain

DCO Energy designed, constructed, owned, operates and maintains a combined heating, cooling and power plant (CHCP) and Microgrid Generation Center, Load Management System (LMS) and Energy Distribution System (EDS) at Montclair State University. The project provides cost-effective, efficient and reliable delivery of heating, cooling, electricity and emergency power to over 25 campus buildings. In 2022, the project was acquired by Cartier Energy, and DCO continues to operate and maintain the system.

  • DCO designed, constructed, owned, operate and maintain
  • 5.4MW electric generation
  • 4,300 tons of cooling
  • 100,000 lbs./hr. steam; 29 MMBtu/hr. heat recovery
  • 1.6 MI of new steam, chilled water and condensate underground piping to over 25 buildings
  • 20 years remaining contract term

In 2018, DCO developed and built a microgrid with additional generation (5 MW) and controls for black start, islanding and peak load reduction

  • $1.3 million annual utility savings for university
  • Dramatic improvement in power resiliency – average of 8 to 10 power interruptions annually reduced to zero interruptions with microgrid
  • Financed through the only P3 municipal financing for energy to date in the state of New Jersey