Microgrid Supports Biotechnology Company's World Headquarters

The challenge

Veolia North America managed the operations and maintenance of a 5.3 MW combined heat and power (CHP) solution to meet the needs of a global biotechnology company’s world headquarters and research campus.
 
The plant received backup support from Veolia’s district steam system, and its construction was managed by Veolia’s energy consulting group, SourceOne.

The client’s challenges are:

• A global leader in the research and treatment of many autoimmune diseases, the organization needed to address the high cost and poor reliability of certain existing utility services.
• The campus’s thermal energy system was subject to a single point of failure.

Veolia’s solution

Innovative reliable solutions:

• With the thermal energy system in mind, the campus engaged Veolia to operate and maintain a reliable solution that would support the consistency and long-term growth of this microgrid.
• While providing commodity support services through SourceOne, Veolia delivered ongoing operations and maintenance that included regular meter calibrations and steam repair.
• The CHP plant was able to comprise most of the biotechnology giant’s heat and electricity, serving seven buildings with electricity and six with high-pressure steam.

Client targets:

• Long-term support
• Reliable solution

The benefits for our client

Hands-on involvement:

• Veolia was involved at all stages of the project, including feasibility and business plan development, equipment selection, negotiation for grid interconnection, fuel supply provisioning and environmental permitting.

Positive additional support:

• The plant received additional resilience through a steam line connection to Veolia’s district system.

Long-term benefits:

• Implementation of the project ultimately provided more reliable and cost-effective energy across the Cambridge campus.