Phillips Academy Andover, founded in 1778, is one of the nation’s most prestigious independent secondary boarding schools, renowned for its academic excellence, expansive campus, and diverse student body. With the development of its new 70,000-square-foot Pan Athletic Center—a state-of-the-art facility housing a swimming and diving complex, dance studios, wrestling facilities, and the Athletics Hall of Honor—the academy sought an energy solution that was not only cost-effective for a significant new building but also ensured unwavering power reliability for critical athletic operations and student comfort, aligning with its commitment to providing top-tier resources.

Solution: Vergent partnered with Phillips Academy Andover to implement an advanced Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system for the Pan Athletic Center. The solution involved the installation of two Capstone C65 microturbines, generating a total of 130 kW. This cutting-edge system operates in dual mode, seamlessly generating electricity in conjunction with grid power for optimal efficiency during normal operations. Crucially, it also features an island mode capability, allowing the system to operate independently of the grid and act as a reliable backup power source in the event of an outage. The entire onsite power plant is managed by a Vergent controller, which optimizes performance, maximizes energy capture from the microturbines’ waste heat (especially beneficial for heating the natatorium), and provides essential remote service capabilities.

Results:  The dual-mode operation provides robust energy resilience, ensuring continuous power for all athletic facilities, crucial for maintaining optimal conditions for training, competition, and student well-being. By generating power and heat onsite, the academy achieves substantial cost savings on utility expenses, especially in heating the energy-intensive swimming pool. This efficient and reliable onsite power generation underscores Phillips Academy Andover’s dedication to providing a world-class environment for its students, safeguarding operations, and supporting its long-term financial and operational sustainability goals.