Client: Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, The City of Orillia
Year: 2015-2016 (Study) 2017-2019 (Design/Build)
Project Highlights
- 765 and 770 kWe CHP units first installed in 1993 and 2003 re-established
- On-skid refurbishment of the engines
- 8,600 MWhe electricity saved annually
Successful Revival of Two Inactive CHP Units while Keeping Hospital Fully Operational
The Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is a community hospital providing regional programs, as well as surgical and medical services to the residents of Simcoe County and Muskoka. In 2015, FVB Energy was retained to conduct a Detailed Engineering Study to investigate the possibility of upgrading two existing cogeneration (CHP) units and returning them to service. As both CHP were dormant, each unit required to meet current Environmental Regulations and fulfill the IESO PSUI Connection Impact Assessment interconnection requirements for behind‐the‐meter generation projects. Our study showed that re-establishing these CHP systems would yield annual electrical savings of 8,600 MWhe, with significant recovered heat savings, and operational resiliency of CHP islanded operation during long term grid outages beyond on-site diesel fuel storage considerations.
In 2017, FVB was retained to design and oversee the identified upgrades to both CHP systems. The units were located in two opposite corners of the hospital which made this project equivalent of two separate CHP refurbishment efforts. Since each CHP used excess heat recovery (low-pressure steam) and low-temperature hot water, understanding the hospital’s steam and hot water systems and how they operate was essential for the interconnections.
The CHP units were installed in 1993 and 2003. The older unit had not been operated since 2003 and the newer unit had never been commissioned. Due to the age of the units, the switchgear needed to be replaced to ensure reliable operation and access to spare parts throughout the CHP’s lifespan. This allowed for effective control of each CHP to meet the facility’s thermal and electrical demands. One of the CHP units also required a replacement of its heat recovery steam generator.
The Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) emission technology was located in a tight physical space without provisions for large equipment. The additional back pressure of the SCR upon the CHP, and the deteriorated condition of the 1993 exhaust system, required a complete replacement of all breeching and stack liner within a very limited vertical shaft for this unit.
Throughout the project, FVB collaborated closely with the client, electricity transmission and distribution company, CHP vendor (CAT), environmental consultant and the General Contractor to develop a timely and efficient plan for the CHP upgrades, all while ensuring the hospital’s operations and healthcare commitments remained uninterrupted.
FVB Scope of Work:
- Project Management
- Mechanical and Electrical Design
- Instrumentation & Control
- Procurement Support
- Construction and Commissioning Support
Keywords
Hospital, CHP, SCR, Project Management, Procurement Assistance, Commissioning