The Power Plant

Saint John’s operates a co-generation power plant which heats and cools all buildings on the main campus (excluding Flynntown) while producing approximately one-fourth (1/4) of the electricity consumed on campus.  Co-generation means there are two uses for the steam which is produced in the boilers:  the boilers generate steam at high pressure – this high-pressure steam passes through generators which produce electricity.  The generators, in turn, exhaust steam at a low pressure – this low pressure steam is then distributed around to campus to heat the facilities or, in the summer time, the low pressure steam is sent to the steam-absorption chillers which produce chilled water for cooling the facilities.

Having two uses for the steam which is produced is what makes it economical for Saint John’s to produce electricity.  If we have no heating or cooling demand, it is more economical to purchase electricity.  This is known as thermal demand.

This complex operation is managed by our chief engineer (Tom Vogel), who has an assistant chief engineer (Larry Koltes), a mechanic/operator (Michael Burma), and four boiler operators (Glen Breth, Dennis Leuthmers, Mike Leyendecker, and Curtis Morey).  By law, the high-pressure boilers must be attended 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Folklore has it that the flames haven’t gone out at the Saint John’s Power Plant since the original dynamos became known as generators.

In addition to heating, cooling, and electrical generation, the Power Plant operates the domestic water system, including the water treatment facility, the water heaters, the water softeners, the wells, pumps, and water towers.

The Power Plant was designed to accommodate a diversity of fuels:  coal, natural gas, and #2 fuel oil.  This ability to shift operations from one fuel to another allows for competitive shopping and makes our operations less susceptible to artificial fuel shortages.

While the power plant generates approximately one-fourth (1/4)  of the electricity consumed on campus, its capability is much greater – allowing the power plant to carry the majority of the campus should our outside source of electricity be disrupted.  This, however, is not economical without a corresponding thermal demand.