University of Maryland
Summary
The NextGen system is built around a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, also known as cogeneration. It produces electricity and useful thermal energy from a single fuel source — capturing and reusing energy that would otherwise be wasted.
Natural gas (and backup fuel oil) is used to spin a turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity—supplying approximately 50% of campus demand. Because this power is generated on-site, it reduces costs, minimizes transmission losses, and improves reliability.
Instead of being released into the atmosphere, turbine exhaust—often exceeding 900°F (480°C)—is captured by a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) to produce high-pressure steam. This process significantly increases efficiency, with CHP systems achieving 60–80%+, compared to ~35–40% for conventional power plants.
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