What it means to be green… NYU Green Action Plan One of the nation’s largest wind-credit purchases (118 million kWh) The Next Generation of CoGeneration (CHP) Sustainability = Recycle, Re-use, Understand your impact on the environment

CoGeneration… The Next Generation is CHP Combined Heat and Power Production (CHP) More Efficient Clean Energy Fuel Conservation CHP is the simultaneous production of electricity and useful thermal energy (let’s learn more!)

Conventional Generation “CHP can increase operational efficiency and decrease energy costs, while reducing emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Conventional Generation 30% of energy input (fuel) converted to energy output (electricity) 70% loss of energy (as heat) emitted to environment CHP (turns the formula around by using the wasted heat) 70 to 90% of energy input (fuel) converted to energy output (electricity and heat) 10 to 30% loss of energy Runs on natural gas, and sometimes low sulfur fuel

(Remote from thermal users) Conventional Generation Pollution 70% Waste Heat Fuel 100% 30% Electricity (Remote from thermal users) Power Plant

(On or near thermal user sites) Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Pollution 10-30% Waste Heat Electricity 70-90% Steam Chilled Water Fuel 100% CHP Plants (On or near thermal user sites)

CoGeneration at NYU Current CoGeneration Operation 30 year old equipment (was good at the time) Runs mainly on diesel fuel Supplies electricity to 7 University buildings By 2008, need the plant to be retired in order to meet environmental code NYU Decision to invest in CoGeneration/CHP Large initial capital investment ($110 – 120 million) Responsible investment because of immediate environmental benefits and long-term financial benefits Expand capacity to supply energy to 30 University buildings Removal of University buildings from over-burdened ConEdison lines If NOT CoGeneration/CHP Was alternative to take current CoGen off-line and NOT replace with new CoGen…but, $60 million to take current plant off-line, reconnect buildings to ConEdison lines and install local generators and fuel tanks to meet life safety and critical load emergency power requirements Similar construction impact but with very negative implications for the environment Machinery would need to be added (likely to rooftops) of University buildings

Environmental Benefits of NYU’s CoGeneration/CHP Plans Pollutant * Con Edison ** New CoGen Plant Reduction % Reduction (tons) CO2 150000 92500 57500 38% Regulated Pollutants 1400 240 1160 83% Particulate Matter 462 60 402 87% * Emissions factors based on NYSERDA published data ** Based on similar load capacity as new plant

Environmental Benefits 38% Reduction in CO2 CO2 seen as leading cause of global warming 83% Reduction in Regulated Pollutants NOx – causes smog SOx – causes acid rain Carbon Monoxide 87% Reduction in Particulate Matter Leading cause of asthma, particularly a problem for children

NYU’s Planned CoGeneration/CHP Plant is equivalent to… NYU planting 7.8 million trees NYU eliminating emissions from 5.8 million gallons of gas burned per year Removing 10,000 cars from the roads per year

“It’s Not Easy Bein’ Green” Kermit the Frog Long-term benefits require up-front investment Capital Investment (NYU) Patience Investment (NYU and Community)

CoGeneration/CHP Location Plant underneath Warren Weaver Hall 251 Mercer St. Two options for new plant location Mercer Street Gould Plaza

Mercer Street Option Pros Empty space/earth where plant can be located Ultimate improvement to Mercer Plaza Community input on ultimate plaza design All equipment fits below ground No loss of classroom space for the University Mercer Street wider and would allow project work to take place without full street closing Cons Disruption to neighbors on Mercer Street More expensive construction project than Gould Plaza option Temporary loss of trees in the immediate area Mercer street partially closed

Gould Plaza Option Pros Less disruption to Mercer neighbors Easier construction site Potential for shorter construction time frame Cons More disruption to very compacted area on West 4th Street and Washington Square Village West 4th Street a smaller street, full street would have to be closed at times Permanent loss of 15 classrooms (approx. 15,000 square feet) Immediate classroom relocation a difficulty, would most likely need variances to allow the relocation Classrooms are used primarily by one school (Stern School of Business); moving classrooms out of Stern’s building will cause complications for scheduling classes; and increases above ground foot traffic as students shuffle between classes Not all equipment fits below ground; portions of equipment would have to be located above ground on 3rd Street

Expanding the conversation about Trees If Mercer option pursued: 25 trees in current area Manhattan Forestry/NYC Parks Department overseeing and directing options for trees during project For trees that are removed and can not be replanted (for size, age and quarantine reasons): University pays to plant the equivalent # of new trees in Community Board #2 area University plants new (mature) trees at the end of the project

New Mercer St. Park Mature trees, up to 30 feet tall can be planted Plaza will be greener, nicer and more user-friendly Heating vents will go away Whole area benefits from beautification

London Plane Tree At Halka Tree Nursery, NJ 30 foot high, 10 inch caliper Oak Tree Planted spring 2005, photographed summer 2006 28 foot high, 8 inch caliper

Honeylocust Tree Planted November 2005, photo June 2006 22 foot high, 6.5 inch caliper Honeylocust Tree At Halka Tree Nursery, NJ 25 foot high, 7 inch caliper

Mercer Plaza transforms into Mercer Park