NYC club to cogenerate with Con Ed's OK

Consolidated Edison has given its first approval for a 120-kW cogeneration system at the Downtown Athletic Club because the club sized the project for peak shaving and plans to continue relying on the utility for supplemental rather than standby service at its former rate schedule. The two 60-kW Tecogen cogeneration units are part of a larger $268,000 energy conservation project that includes energy management systems, a powerline carrier system, and renovation of the building's condensate return system. Payback estimates for the investment are 18 months. The gas-fired cogeneration system will lower unit costs for fuel. Con Ed's opposition to other cogeneration projects focused on the problems of providing only standby power.