Technologies
TECO’s Central Plant (Paul G. Bell, Jr. Energy Plant) and South Main Plant produce chilled water and steam. TECO distributes that energy through underground piping systems to customer buildings where it can be utilized for multiple purposes, including air conditioning, space heating, dehumidification, humidification, sterilization, kitchen and laundry processes, research, and domestic hot water use. Customers don't need their own boilers or chillers since TECO’s chilled water and steam system does that work for them.
TECO’s Central Plant began operation in 1969 and has expanded over the decades. Its largest-ever expansion – a $377 million project – was completed between 2007-2011. The project established TECO as the largest district cooling system in North America and transformed its energy operations. The project included a(n):
- 48 MW combined heat and power (CHP) unit, which is highly efficient and provides reliability and resiliency for TECO’s electricity needs.
- 8.8-million-gallon chilled water thermal energy storage tank, the tallest thermal energy tank in the U.S.
- New chiller building with 32,000 tons installed capacity, expandable to 80,000 tons.
- 138 kV electric substation upgrade.
- Operations support facility with a state-of-the-art control room.
- Distribution system expansion that included a new utility bridge over Brays Bayou to reach additional areas on campus.
Combined heat and power: TECO’s CHP plant operates at a very high efficiency. TECO’s CHP unit utilizes the waste heat from the exhaust of the gas turbine – effectively recylcing it – to help produce heating and cooling. Traditional power plants effectively used just one-third of the fuel they burned to produced electricity. Two-thirds of the energy would end up being “wasted” up the smokestack. CHP use enables TECO to decrease annual fossil fuel use, reduce its annual emissions of nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Thermal energy storage: TECO charges its thermal energy storage tank at night when chilled water demand and electriciy rates are lower and discharges the tank during the day to reduce electricity demand and increase the effective chilled water capacity.
Piping system: TECO’s piping distribution system has more than 35 miles (7.7 trench miles) of piping ranging in size from 6 to 60 inches in diameter. This extensive system serves the Main and Mid campuses at the Texas Medical Center (TMC), spanning Brays Bayou via a utility bridge. Dedicated, experienced TECO personnel are on-site full-time inspecting all piping construction projects daily. A third party inspects and x-rays every weld, and geotech engineers are on-site during backfilling activities to ensure compaction specs are met.
Check out images of TECO’s facilities below.
