Story

S-Works Construction Corporation and Scale Microgrids partnered together in 2023 to build a revolutionary renewable energy microgrid for Gallaudet University. Established through federal charter in 1864, Gallaudet University stands as an epitome of bilingualism, diversity, and multiculturalism in higher education. It ensures the intellectual and professional advancement of Deaf, hard of hearing, and Deafblind individuals through American Sign Language and English. This microgrid allows Gallaudet University to operate in parallel with the utility to meet most of all the university's electricity demands while also being fully islandable (off gride mode) in the event of a utility outage. The 4.5 MW CHP (Combined Heat & Power) system has a 1.2 MW/2.4 MWh battery energy storage system. S-Works Construction Corporation provided the installation of all the owner provided proprietary equipment. The combined system provides enough power to meet most of the Universities electrical loads. It has the capacity to add another CHP which could provide power for neighboring businesses. The system consists of (3) 1500 kw CHP’s (4.5 MW). The (3) 16-cylinder CHP generators have (5) roof mounted dry cooler radiators which help reduce the heat these engines produce. We also installed (3) Heat Recovery Generators (HRSG), (3) Exhaust Gas Heath Exchangers (HRSR) and a 515-ton hot water absorption chiller which utilizes the vast majority of the CHP waste heat by product. There is also a large air intake system to move fresh cool air into and through the engine hall which exhausts the hot air out of the roof of the building. All the power that is not used immediately is stored on the exterior 26’ long x 10’ wide x 9’ tall Tesla Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) which is all prepackaged into a small battery enclosure. We also installed an owner furnished 515-ton absorption chiller which supports the microgrid. S-Works Construction Corporation also provided the proprietary microgrid control system and controller so this system could be operated autonomously with full remote control.