TECO Unveils New Gas Turbine Generator

The addition ensures the future reliability of thermal services to its TMC customers

HOUSTON — Sept. 11, 2024 — Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) proudly announces the addition of a GE LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine generator to its Central Plant in Houston. The new gas turbine enhances TECO’s on-site power generation capabilities, further ensuring its plant can reliably produce thermal services for its Texas Medical Center (TMC) customers based on their projected institution growth and load demand increases.

The organization currently distributes steam and/or chilled water to 51 buildings at 16 customer institutions on the TMC campus. This includes: The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hermann, and Houston Methodist, among other exceptional entities.

“TECO’s priority in each project is to maintain reliability and efficiency for our customers,” Mike Manoucheri, president and CEO of TECO, said. “Each institution we serve performs critical services, whether that is exceptional patient care, groundbreaking research, or unparalleled education opportunities. This project, and all our work, ensures that they can focus on what they do best. Special thanks to our Board of Directors and stakeholders for investing in this project.”

This pivotal addition was initiated in TECO’s 2021 Master Plan update — completed by Burns & McDonnell — which identified current and future projects that meet the organization’s short- and long-term requirements. With the new gas turbine, TECO’s plant can self-generate all of the power required to supply thermal utilities to its customers at peak loading.   

“We are incredibly honored to have contributed to this transformative project that will provide vital services to healthcare institutions and hospitals. This project is a true reflection of the unwavering dedication of all those involved. Collaborating with the TECO team continues to be an exceptional experience; their commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and ensuring uninterrupted service is nothing short of inspiring,” Jon Schwartz, principal, OnSite Energy & Power at Burns & McDonnell said.

TECO operates the largest chilled water district energy system in North America. The nonprofit organization and its district energy system have served TMC since 1969, with TECO holding dual roles as both a member and district provider to the TMC campus.

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Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) owns and operates the district energy system supplying thermal utilities to the largest medical city in the world, the Texas Medical Center. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit’s combined heat and power based (CHP) system supplies thermal utilities to more than 26 million square feet across 16 different institutions. Customers use TECO’s chilled water for space cooling, cold rooms, and refrigeration and TECO’s steam to meet space heating, dehumidification, humidification, sterilization, kitchen, sanitary, and research requirements.

Photo Gallery: Gas Turbine Generator 2 Celebration (2024)