Last modified: Tuesday, July 27, 2010
IU receives Environmental Stewardship Award for energy-saving Microsteam Power System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2010
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Carrier Corp. has presented Indiana University with an Environmental Stewardship Award, in recognition of the university's commitment to sustainable systems and in celebration of the milestone reached by the energy-saving Microsteam™ Power System used for green power generation in Indiana University's Central Heating Plant. The microsteam has produced one gigawatt hour of electricity since it was installed in January.
The energy-saving Microsteam™ Power System at Indiana University's Central Heating Plant
The device was installed in an effort to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save IU money. According to IU's Assistant Director for Utilities Mark Menefee, the Microsteam has done just that.
"The Microsteam converts waste steam from an existing boiler system into electricity," Menefee said. "The electricity produced by the turbine is electricity that doesn't have to be bought. Because the energy didn't have to be produced or purchased, there is a reduction of CO2 by approximately 2,000 tons per year for every year that the turbine runs."
The money saved from the Microsteam goes directly to the Office of Sustainability, which helps support future sustainability efforts across the Bloomington campus, Menefee said.
"I applaud Mark Menefee and the rest of his team for implementing this remarkable new Microsteam technology," said Bill Brown, director of the IU Office of Sustainability. "This is the kind of bold innovation and leadership that we will need to achieve ambitious goals for energy conservation on the Bloomington campus."
The 6-by-4-foot turbine runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and produces around 250 kilowatts per hour. This is the first gigawatt of electricity that the turbine has produced. A gigawatt hour of electricity is enough to power 1,000 Indiana homes for one month.
John Mandyck, vice president of sustainability and environmental strategy at Carrier Corp., was on hand Tuesday morning to present the award at a ceremony at IU's Kelley School of Business.
"With more than 2,000 employees in the state of Indiana and a tradition of engineering and manufacturing excellence that dates back over 40 years, Carrier is proud to partner with another great Hoosier institution to improve the environment for a sustainable future," Mandyck said.
About Carrier Corp.
Carrier Corp. is the world's leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy efficient products, building controls and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and food service customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is part of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.
