West Hartford health groups inaugurate co-generation plants

Two health care facilities in West Hartford have inaugurated 225 kilowatts worth of co-generation power in the past week.

Today, Hughes Health & Rehabilitation started its 75 kilowatt co-generation plant, which will provide up to 53 percent of the facility's electricity at a rate below the grid market prices.

On Thursday Hebrew Health Care inaugurated its 150 kilowatt co-generation plant, which will provide up to 70 percent of the facility's electricity.

The Combined Heat and Power projects are the simultaneous production of useable heat and electricity from one fuel source, which is natural gas in both West Hartford cases. Both projects were developed and installed by Aegis Energy Services of Holyoke, Mass.

"This is a historic day for Hughes as we incorporate modern green energy-saving technology into our 50-year-old operation" said Mark Finkelstein, Hughes vice president and administrator, in a statement.  "Our new cogeneration plant furthers Hughes' commitment to be a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to providing an environment conducive to our residents' convalescence and recovery."

The co-generation plants will include a 15-percent discount on gas transmission through the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control. Thermal energy from the co-generation plant will provide hot water and space heating for the West Hartford facilities.

"The system could save our facility $80,000 to $100,000 per year or more, with a simple equipment payback of three years," said Asher Pavel, house committee chairman at Hebrew Health Care, in a statement.

Hebrew Health Care was founded more than 100 years ago and provides health care for older adults. Hughes is a 170-bed rehabilitation center located in a historic home in West Hartford.