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Heating and Chilling Plant Conservation Efforts
Chilled water is produced at the UWM Heating and Chilling Plant using three chillers. Primary chiller pumping uses variable speed drives to selectively balance cooling loads between the on line chillers.
A half million gallon capacity de-coupled secondary loop circulates this chilled water through 30" diameter supply and return mains connecting to the campus buildings.
Up to 16,000 gallons per minute of 42° chilled water is circulated through this piping network using two 250 horse power variable speed distribution pumps. For condenser heat rejection up to 22 million gallons of water per day is pumped from Lake Michigan to the Central Plant. The lake water is drawn into the lakeshore pumping station through a 4 ft diameter concrete intake pipe extending 3/4 of a mile out into and 40 ft below the surface of the lake. The use of cool lake water (50-70°F.) takes the place of cooling towers and dramatically improves the energy efficiency of the chilling system.
Once produced, steam and condensate, chilled water and compressed air are piped from the Central Plant to campus buildings through a network of underground steam tunnels. Millions of dollars in operating costs are saved annually by using one central plant to provide heating and cooling for all of campus, versus having separate facilities for each individual building.
The savings result from increased operational efficiency of scale and being able to purchase fuel in large quantities at a lower cost. There is also reduced manpower for central operation and maintenance of equipment and a reduced inventory of replacement parts.
Although the plant is 39 years old (as of 2008), it is upgraded on a continuing basis. This, along with outstanding maintenance practices, has extended its longevity and kept it on the cutting edge of technology, earning its reputation as being one of, if not the best, maintained and operated central plant in the state.
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