Top Combined Heat and Power Project Named by Industry

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The combined heat and power industry and Texas CHP Initiative has recognized the TexStar Midstream T2 EF Project as its Project of the Year. Energy reliability and resiliency were essential to the project which uses captured heat from the turbine exhaust to process natural gas. Without reliable grid energy at this remote location, a CHP system was installed for their energy needs and will be expanded to accommodate growing operations and deliver power regionally. 

The TexStar Midstream Services T2 EF Cogeneration project is near Pettus, Texas, and is the first project to be permitted in Texas using a Permit by Rule (PBR) for CHP systems. This air permit by rule process was created to streamline regulations and it was expected to spur CHP projects.

Most of the CHP capacity in Texas is associated with downstream oil and gas operations, but there is a vast potential for upstream and midstream gas processing projects like the 15 MW T2 EF Cogeneration Project. TexStar Midstream Services LP provides a full range of midstream services including the gathering, treating, and processing of natural gas and natural gas liquids, and plans to expand its T2 EF operation by an additional 45 MW to support its growing processing operations as well as to supply needed energy to the region.

Dennis A. Barry P.E., Senior Mechanical Engineer, formerly with the project design firm Meers Engineering, now with MULTATECH Architects and Engineers, said "With the South Texas utilities struggling to provide the increased electricity needs of new commercial users in the Eagle Ford Shale Area, this project exemplifies the perfect application for a combined heat and power system. At the site, TexStar takes clean pipeline quality gas from their midstream gas operations and uses it generate electricity with a Solar Turbines Titan 130. The heat from the turbine exhaust is captured and efficiently used in the gas processing operations."

TXCHPI Executive Director Paul Cauduro said, "The TexStar CHP system provides efficient and reliable energy on-site where it is needed while contributing to the economic development growth in the area. It is our hope that many more projects like this emerge at midstream gas processing facilities across the state." 

The Texas Combined Heat and Power Initiative (TXCHPI), an association of business interests that supports CHP technology applications in industrial, commercial and institutional settings, bestowed the recognition at the CHP2013 & WHP2013 conference in Houston. The conference and trade show event was attended by industry professionals from across the nation as well as Europe and Asia and is the nation's largest event dedicated to combined heat and power and waste heat to power systems.

Contact: Paul Cauduro
Executive Director
Texas CHP Initiative
512-705-9996
[email protected] 
Debrah Dubay
512-627-3782
[email protected]

SOURCE Texas Combined Heat and Power Initiative