Valley City State University, Heating Plant Replacement

This project consisted of a new central heating plant to replace the existing aging facility for Valley City State University (VCSU). The new facility is located on campus, on new property purchased by the VCSU approximately one block from the existing facility. The new plant contains one new coal fired boiler and two natural gas/fuel oil fired boilers. The driving factor behind installing a coal fire boiler was to utilize one of North Dakota’s most abundant resources; lignite coal. The ability to use natural gas, fuel oil or coal will allow the VCSU to leverage the markets most competitive energy sources at any given time. Another contributing factor in the selection of a coal fired boiler was its ability to provide steam and syngas treatment for a future activated carbon processing plant that is intended to be installed adjacent to the new heat plant, which will generate revenue for the campus through the sale of activated carbon. The plant also contains a new backup emergency generator for the campus.