Virginia Tech
Summary
Since its beginnings in the early 1900s, Virginia Tech power plant operations have been governed by three enduring principles: safety, sustainability, and service.
The Virginia Tech power plant is the only university-owned facility in the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide heating, cooling, and electricity. Twenty-four hours-a-day, steam is generated into electricity to power everyday life at Virginia Tech.
“Working here, you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are keeping the students and everybody warm and the hot water and compressed air supplied to the campus,” said Billy Dudding, associate director of utilities and the power plant. “It’s something that we all take pride in. We also take pride in ensuring a safe working environment.
"My biggest priority is that everyone gets to go home at the end of the day," Dudding continued. "We can only do this by being very strict on our annual boiler inspections and maintaining all of our equipment up to code."
Powering the everyday activities of the university is facilitated by stringent safety and environmental protection protocols at the plant, including safety training, annual equipment inspections, close monitoring of nitrogen oxide (NOx) output levels, and more.
“Virginia Tech power plant operates a Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP) that runs at nearly 82 percent efficiency, compared to a conventional power plant that operates at 35 percent efficiency. The approximately $3 million saved in electricity costs reduces emissions and carbon footprint that allows for long-term investments in renewable energy sources,” said Mary-Ann Ibeziako, assistant vice president for infrastructure.
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