Department of Veterans Affairs, Battle Creek Biomass Combined Heat and Power Plant

Improving Energy Security with Locally-Sourced, Renewable Fuel

Switching from fossil fuels to carbon neutral biomass allows the VA to diversify the fuel mix and cut GHG emissions by approximately 14,000 tons per year, reducing its carbon footprint by approximately 80% over current operations. This would be the equivalent of removing 3,500 cars from the road annually. The move also enables the facility to meet the requirements of Executive Order 13514, which declared the U.S. Federal government’s commitment to reducing its GHGs by 28% by 2020. By utilizing locally-sourced residual biomass, which is in plentiful supply in the region surrounding Battle Creek, Michigan, the VA campus has also reduced its dependence on fossil fuels, leveraging its operational spending locally in support of local industry and diverting debris from landfill.

The Cogeneration Plant provides steam and electricity. HGA analyzed the campus load profiles to develop strategies to meet the hospital’s electricity, thermal, and cooling load requirements. HGA teamed with DeMaria Building Company to provide a turn-key solution through the design-build process.