Energy Plants

Commissioned in 2017 as the result of an intensive Utility Master Plan, the Main Energy Plant is the campus’ flagship facility, cogenerating steam and electrical power for the Minneapolis campus.  Built in the University’s former “Old Main Heating Plant,” the facility consists of a 22.8-megawatt combustion turbine and heat recovery steam generator, with co-firing capability.  The Main Energy Plant became a true tri-gen facility in the summer of 2024, with the addition and commissioning of a chilled water plant.

Fueled by natural gas, the Main Energy Plant is a key investment in the University’s Climate Action Plan and has helped to reduce campus emissions by 50% since 2008. This state-of-the-art facility provides the University with an extremely reliable and resilient source of energy.

The Southeast Heating Plant was originally constructed in 1903 as the Twin City Rapid Transit Company Steam Power Plant, Providing DC power to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan region for the electrically driven mass transit trolleys.  The Heating Plant is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of the principal industrial structures relating to the Twin Cities early transit history.

SEP has undergone ownership changes and several upgrades in its history, being purchased by the University in 1977.  In its current configuration, it houses a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) and two package boilers, along with a backpressure turbine and electrical generator set.  The facility is natural gas fired, and the CFB provides an opportunity to burn multiple sources of biomass.

The St. Paul Heating Plant serves the Twin Cities St. Paul Campus, producing process and heating steam. Built in the 1940’s, the St. Paul Plant has also seen several renovations and upgrades, resulting in it’s current state, housing 5 operative high pressure, gas fired boilers.