Columbia University's goal is to provide economical and reliable air conditioning on a 24-hour basis to its Morningside campus buildings. In order to meet growing cooling demands, the University has committed to undertake a major expansion of its original powerhouse — the central cooling plant on the Morningside Heights campus.
The powerhouse, which measures approximately 12,000 square feet, will be renovated and receive two new, ultra efficient chillers. One of the 2,800 ton chillers is driven by a steam turbine and the other chiller utilizes an electric motor. The flexibility to draw on either steam or electric power reduces stress on the electrical grid during the summer months and allows the University to respond to changing energy costs and demand year round. Read more about Columbia's Powerhouse renovations.
