Cambridge, Massachusetts: Home to some of the most prestigious institutions and businesses in the world. There's no shortage of intellectual power here — and Mirant's Kendall Cogeneration Station ensures that smart power generation is equally abundant in this community.
The Kendall Cogeneration Station began service in 1946 and was acquired by Mirant in 1999. Forty-eight highly skilled personnel work to produce energy efficiently and safely while continually finding ways to reduce emissions and waste. The plant is capable of generating 256 megawatts (MW) of electricity — enough to serve about 256,000 homes. Kendall also contributes to numerous civic and charitable organizations through employee volunteerism and donations.
What is Cogeneration?
Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), is the production of two or more forms of useful energy from a single source. Using proven CHP technology, we're able to produce reliable and efficient electricity as well as thermal energy. The steam that is produced as a byproduct of generating electricity is used commercially for heating and cooling. The cogeneration process has lower impacts on air, water and natural resources.
CHP systems provide many benefits, including:
- Reduced energy costs
- Improved power reliability
- Increased energy efficiency
- Improved environmental quality
- Improved power quality
At Kendall Cogeneration Station, we use natural gas as the primary fuel source that is converted to both electrical and useful thermal energy (steam). This conversion process utilizes fuel energy very efficiently and reduces air emissions. Natural gas fuels a combustion turbine that spins a generator that produces 174 MW of electricity — enough to power approximately 174,000 homes. The "waste" heat from the combustion turbine is sent to a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) — a boiler — where steam is produced. Steam from the HRSG is sent to three steam turbines onsite that generate an additional 40 to 60 MW of electricity and something we call "process steam." The steam that is produced as a byproduct of generating electricity becomes an energy source to hundreds of commercial entities throughout Cambridge and Boston.
Environmental Highlights
In conventional U.S. power production, only about 30 percent of the total energy contained in fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas is converted into electricity. The rest of the energy is rejected from the power plant in the form of heat, and is lost. CHP systems collect and make productive use of this rejected heat energy. By capturing waste heat and recycling it into additional forms of energy, the Kendall Cogeneration Station can operate at upwards of 60 percent efficiency, a level that's twice the national average for a power generating facility.
Community Outreach
Kendall Cogeneration Station supports a variety of local organizations and endeavors. Key projects include:
Community Boating
In 2008, Kendall is providing funds that will allow Community Boating, Inc. to acquire new boats for the first time in more than 25 years. Community Boating promotes the advancement of sailing for all by minimizing economic and physical obstacles to this unique activity.
East End House
Kendall is among the largest donors to East End House, a not-for-profit, multiservice community center and social service agency established in 1875. East End House is committed to providing programs and services to strengthen family and community in East Cambridge, Cambridge and the Greater Boston area. Kendall is proud to sponsor innovative programming at the East End House designed to nurture children's enthusiasm, interest and achievement in science.
Energy Smackdown
Kendall is a proud sponsor of the Energy Smackdown. The Energy Smackdown project aims to reach, inspire and educate a broad audience by documenting the adventures of competing households who are working to reduce their energy consumption and related carbon emissions. The teams' strategies and progress are documented on local access cable television broadcasts and Internet Webcasts. The Energy Smackdown challenges and supports individuals, households and organizations to collaborate as a community. View the Energy Smackdown episodes at http://www.energysmackdown.com.