Information Concerning The Ohio State University's Combined Heat and Power Plant
A planned Combined Heat and Power Plant and District Heating and Cooling loop with a central chiller facility will support the campus core as well as the development of an innovation district on Ohio State's west campus by providing energy-efficient electricity, heating and cooling. The facility will support the university’s sustainability goals and is expected to cut carbon emissions by more than 30% in the first full year of operation. The projects are a cornerstone of the university’s public-private partnership with Ohio State Energy Partners. The total cost for both projects, including infrastructure for a district heating and cooling loop, is expected to cost $278 million.
An application for a certificate of environmental compatibility and public need for the CHP facility was submitted to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) in November 2019 (Case Number 19-1641-EL-BGN (link is external). On Sept. 17, 2020, the OPSB issued an Opinion, Order and Certificate approving the application subject to certain conditions. Construction timelines are under development.
For more information on the CHP and how it fits into the university’s overall plan to reduce emissions, see Frequently Asked Questions.
Video from the Oct. 6, 2020, faculty forum on the CHP.
Video from the Oct. 7, 2020, student forum on the CHP.
For those seeking key documents from the OPSB case, including direct testimonies and most relevant documents to review and weigh the merits and relevancy of the testimonies, the following can be directly accessed below:
- 7/6/2020: Direct testimony of Scott Potter on behalf of OSU
- 7/6/2020: Direct testimony of Serdar Tufekci on behalf of OSU
- 7/9/2020: Direct testimony of Ron Sahu on behalf of Sierra Club
- 7/22/2020: Transcript of the examination of representatives from OSU, Sierra Club, ODNR
- 8/7/2020: Post-Hearing Brief Of The Staff Of The Ohio Power Siting Board
- 8/7/2020: Post-Hearing Brief of The Ohio State University
- 8/7/2020: Post-Hearing Brief of Sierra Club
- 8/19/2020: Reply Brief Of The Staff Of The Ohio Power Siting Board
- 8/19/2020: Reply Brief of The Ohio State University
- 8/19/2020: Reply Brief of Sierra Club
- 8/25/2020: Sierra Club's Motion to Strike or, in the Alternative, for Leave to File a Surreply
- 9/1/2020: Memorandum in Opposition to Sierra Club's Motion to Strike filed by The Ohio State University
- 9/17/2020: Opinion & Order issuing a certificate to Ohio State subject to conditions herein and denying the motion to strike. Attached: Concurring opinion of OPSB Chair