Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated on 8/1/2022
i) Why is this facility needed?
Much of the campus steam and electrical infrastructure is at the end of its useful life and must be replaced or upgraded. The existing steam plant also is the largest source for GHG emissions on the campus and its conversion is needed to allow the use of locally sourced renewable fuel such as bio-oil.
ii) Have UMaine researchers with expertise in energy, biofuels, and other related areas been involved as subject experts on this project?
UMaine Representatives from DOE Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership attend regular weekly meetings.
Representatives from multiple UMaine departments have provided advice and been involved in drafting documents.
iii) What is the history of energy production and emissions at UMaine?
The history of UMaine’s energy production is online here.
iv) What are the benefits to UMaine and the state of Maine?
The benefits to UMaine are: 4 goals – Reliable, Renewable, Low Cost, & Stable Cost.
The benefits to the State of Maine are: UMaine will likely become an “anchor customer” for a new renewable liquid biofuel production facility that could reduce GHG emissions statewide.
Please also see: UMEC Collective Benefits.
v) Will Orono and Old Town benefit from this project?
Please see previous question.
vi) Are there educational opportunities for students related to this energy project?
Yes. The Central Steam Plant is chiefly a critical asset for energy service to the campus, but it has also been an asset for the University’s research and educational mission.
Examples include: tours by engineering classes, ASHRAE, sensor research, summer students (MMA), etc.
The UMEC offers the opportunity to leverage a critical resource for direct benefit to the university’s mission, through potential teaching and research initiatives in engineering, sustainability, forestry, economics, etc.
vii) How was the location of the UMEC Project chosen?
Use of our existing utility infrastructure at the Central Steam Plant will avoid the cost of installing similar infrastructure at a different location.
The existing Central Steam Plant has operated for over 100 years at its present location. The steam distribution system spans nearly five miles throughout the campus. All of this infrastructure has been designed, constructed, and maintained to operate directionally (generally west to east) across the campus. Although the Project Team considered various alternate locations for a new Steam Plant, including very serious consideration for a new East Plant located behind the Facilities Management Service Buildings, these alternatives proved too costly to provide the same benefits as the proposed UMEC addition to the existing CSP.
viii) What’s the timeline for this energy project?
Schematic engineering design is beginning (as of 6/2022) and is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
After completion of schematic design, we will seek institutional and BOT approval to move into final design and construction (an additional 2+ years).
ix) Who is designing and building it? Are there any features that will specifically address UMaine issues/needs? (educational component?)
Honeywell International is leading the project and Waldron Engineering is working with Honeywell.
The UMEC plant design includes plans for a classroom.
x) Long-term campus planning… Will the Central Steam Plant addition be sized to meet the demands of future campus growth?
Yes. This is an essential aspect of the Plant design, to ensure continued service into the foreseeable future. Some capacity will be explicitly designed and constructed for known near-term growth. Additional consideration for future growth on campus will also be a key aspect of plant design and site space provisions.
xi) Will the UMEC project include demand-side work?
A concurrent demand-side project is being managed separately.
xii) Will UMEC include campus steam and electrical system upgrades?
Campus steam and electrical system upgrades are an essential part of the UMEC project.
xiii) Will this be a LEED-certified building?
Energy efficiency, as well as environmental sustainability through design, construction, and operation are core goals of the project. Whether the building is ultimately certified as LEED has not yet been determined.
xiv) What will the energy plant look like?
At this time the UMEC Project Team expects a Plant addition to be constructed south and adjacent to the existing Central Steam Plant. The CSP has had many additions through its 100+ year life, through all of which the University has consistently maintained the Plant’s brick facade. The UMEC’s architectural design is underway, but not finalized at this time.
xv) What fuels will be used? Are there air quality implications compared to the natural gas UMaine is using now?
The Central Steam Plant addition will be designed to operate using 100% renewable fuels.
Different fuels have different emissions profiles. Whatever fuel type is ultimately chosen will likely have a different emissions profile to fossil natural gas. All energy plant emissions must abide by local, state, and federal regulations. Additional emissions controls can be added if necessary.
xvi) Will this be a green/renewable energy project?
Yes. Please see previous questions.
xvii) Why don’t we focus all our efforts on converting campus heating to ground/air source heat pumps?
All new campus construction is being designed using low-temperature hot water, to the extent possible, and sustainable construction methods. In the right application, heating and cooling through ground-source and/or air-source systems can provide excellent financial and environmental benefits. The University will continue to evaluate electrification in new construction and renovation projects in which electrification is a viable application.
For the University’s current energy demands, including its peak demand, an electrification project of the scale required to replace the existing Central Steam Plant would not be timely or economically feasible. Furthermore, such a project would require retro-fitting much of the campus buildings’ energy systems (for buildings served by the CSP) in order to accommodate a lower temperature energy source (such as water from a ground- or air-source). There are intensive heating demands on campus that cannot be adequately served by a low temperature heating source and would require supplemental heating in order to serve the demand. Additionally, current electrical infrastructure capacity is insufficient to serve the loads that would be required of an electrification project.
(In 2016, not a single RFP 43-16 respondent submitted a beneficial electrification project as a feasible replacement of the Central Steam Plant)
Following is a link to an IPCC webpage regarding a Special Report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems: www.ipcc.ch/srccl/
A few sections are excerpted below:
Chapter 4, Section 4.8.4, Page 387: “In 2007 the IPCC concluded that ‘[i]n the long term, a sustainable forest management strategy aimed at maintaining or increasing forest carbon stocks, while producing an annual sustained yield of timber, fibre or energy from the forest, will generate the largest sustained mitigation benefit’ (Nabuurs et al. 2007).”
Summary for Policymakers, Section B5.3, Page 23: “Reducing deforestation and forest degradation lowers GHG emissions (high confidence), with an estimated technical mitigation potential of 0.4–5.8 GtCO 2 yr-1. By providing long-term livelihoods for communities, sustainable forest management can reduce the extent of forest conversion to non-forest uses (e.g., cropland or settlements) (high confidence). Sustainable forest management aimed at providing timber, fibre, biomass, non-timber resources and other ecosystem functions and services, can lower GHG emissions and can contribute to adaptation (high confidence). {2.6.1.2, 4.1.5, 4.3.2, 4.5.3, 4.8.1.3, 4.8.3, 4.8.4}”
Summary for Policymakers, Section B.5.4, Page 23: “Sustainable forest management can maintain or enhance forest carbon stocks, and can maintain forest carbon sinks, including by transferring carbon to wood products, thus addressing the issue of sink saturation (high confidence). Where wood carbon is transferred to harvested wood products, these can store carbon over the long-term and can substitute for emissions-intensive materials reducing emissions in other sectors (high confidence). Where biomass is used for energy, e.g., as a mitigation strategy, the carbon is released back into the atmosphere more quickly (high confidence). (Figure SPM.3) {2.6.1, 2.7, 4.1.5, 4.8.4, 6.4.1, Cross-Chapter Box 7 in Chapter 6}”
Summary for Policymakers, Section B7, Page 26: “All assessed modelled pathways that limit warming to 1.5ºC or well below 2°C require land-based mitigation and land-use change, with most including different combinations of reforestation, afforestation, reduced deforestation, and bioenergy (high confidence).”
District electrification projects typically require additional sources of energy (in addition to electricity), UMaine’s Central Steam Plant addition would be a logical energy source for such a project.
Moving forward, UMaine will study and plan for the future electrification of the campus.
xviii) Where does UMaine’s electricity come from? (onsite STG vs. offsite renewables)
UMaine’s electricity is delivered to campus from Versant Power, the local electric utility, to two campus delivery points: the East Substation located off of Rangeley Road behind the Facilities Management Service Building, and the West Substation located on College Ave directly north of the existing Central Steam Plant.
The University purchases the electricity that Versant delivers from suppliers upstream of Versant. This electricity supply is required to meet the minimum requirements of the State of Maine Renewable Portfolio Standard, which establishes a prescriptive mix of renewable and other electricity generation sources in the State of Maine.
Maine Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) (External site)
However, UMaine has committed to purchase approximately 28 Million kWh of renewable energy per year for the next 20 years. This amounts to approximately two-thirds of the UMaine campus electrical use. The electricity is generated from multiple off-site renewable generation facilities.
xix) Will the biofuels for the new energy plant come from Maine? (If not, why not? If so, from where?) Will the biofuel transport increase traffic in the communities?
Renewable Liquid Biofuel will be produced using residual wood from Maine’s working forests.
Renewable Liquid Biofuel will be delivered by road, likely 8 tractor-trailer loads per day during the coldest winter months.
xx) What is most important for UMaine community members — students, employees, alumni — to know about this project?
The UMaine Central Steam Plant is a mission critical piece of infrastructure nearing the end of its useful life.
The Central Steam Plant addition will ensure that the UMaine campus can continue to operate reliably and renewably for the next 30-50 years.
The existing Central Steam Plant is mission critical, providing essential heating service to 90% of the campus in support of teaching, research, and public service. The UMEC Project is an addition to the Central Steam Plant, which addresses the capital renewal of infrastructure that is at or past its useful life. This project is a practical implementation of an energy master plan that will ensure UMaine operates reliably, efficiently, and effectively for the next half century.
The Project is expected to have 100% renewable energy capacity, including renewable liquid and gas. The UMEC will allow UMaine to reach net-zero scope-1 GHG emissions by 2030, 10 years ahead of schedule (using locally-sourced renewable fuel).
xxi) What’s most important for residents in Orono and Old Town to know about this project?
The university is making a significant investment in a new facilty to ensure safe, reliable, and environmentally-responsible operation for decades to come.
xxii) Will current steam plant parking be lost when this project is built?
No.
xxiii) How much community input has there been and how much will there be going forward?
The project team has communicated with UM administration, Faculty Senate and Faculty Senate subcommittees, UMS BOT and UMS FF&T, UMSG, President’s Council on Sustainability, UM Campus Planning Committee, Town of Orono, & City of Old Town.
Much of this communication to date has been seeking project approvals from leadership, and providing advisory updates regarding the status of project development. However, these communications have also sought input from all sources. Furthermore, project team members have communicated formally and informally with many members of the campus community, seeking input to guide decision making through development.
Additionally, there will be formal venues for public input through regulatory permitting requirements and public notices.
The Project has now been conceptually developed to the point that there has been sufficient thought and there is enough understanding of the scope that the Project Team can formally engage with extended members of the University community and surrounding representatives from other stakeholders/groups, such as the Town of Orono. These information sessions will allow the University to detail the basis of design and decision-making to-date and will allow for the essential input from various stakeholders to guide the Project’s ongoing development.
xxiv) Are there similar energy plants already in Maine?
Yes, but it depends what aspects of the Plant you are comparing. Many other higher education institutions in the State have central heating plants that provide steam or hot water to their respective campuses, including but not limited to: University of Maine at Fort Kent; University of Maine at Farmington; University of Southern Maine, at both the Portland and Gorham campuses; Colby College; Bates College; and Bowdoin College. With regard to the fuels consumed by those Plants, there is a mix of fuel sources, including wood-chip biomass, wood pellets, renewable liquid fuels, fossil natural gas, and fossil fuel oils.
The UMEC will be comparable in its scope of essential reliable service to the campus, as well as its overall aesthetic. The greatest difference between the UMEC and these other Plants will be the finished scale of the Plant and its capacity. The UMEC will likely be closer in size and capacity to large commercial and small industrial facilities throughout the State, such as at the Northern Light EMMC campus and Hancock Lumber.
The UMEC will not be of the size or aesthetic of merchant power plants within the state, nor current or former paper mills, such as Bucksport Energy, Old Town MIll, Maine Independence Power Plant, Lincoln, and Millinocket Mills to name a few such examples.
xxv) TRECs and Carbon Offsets?
The UMaine Central Steam Plant addition may qualify for the generation of TRECs.
Carbon offset purchases may not be necessary if we use 100% renewable fuels.
xxvi) How long will it take for the energy project to come online?
What we are calling the UMEC “Project” is currently scheduled for operation between (2026-2027).
As most projects are, the UMEC “Project” is really a series of many smaller projects and tasks. There is also a sequence of work, the Project’s critical path, in which some tasks are prerequisite to completing other tasks. So some aspects of the UMEC may be completed and commissioned before 2026-2027. However, the completed UMEC plant addition is not likely to be fully operational until 2026-2027.
xxvii) Any concern about this being sited on the bank of the Stillwater River? Will there be noise or other environmental and safety concerns?
Minimizing human and environmental impacts, including sight, sound, smell, and view, are top priorities of the project. Many of these aspects of the Project will be addressed through rigorous permitting and regulatory requirements. For all these potential impacts, we are appropriately engineering solutions to ensure a safe and friendly environment for the campus and surrounding area.
The facility will not discharge effluent into the river.
xxviii) What arrangements were made with SAE? What will happen to the house?
We are currently in negotiations with the housing corporation to purchase the building.
xxix) What impact will there be on the nearby facilities, such as the childcare facility, SAE house, Fay Hyland Botanical Garden, Steam Plant parking lot, and boat launch?
Please also see question xxvii, above.
Coincident with the development of the UMEC Project, the University has been evaluating the site and use for both the SAE House and the Children’s Center.
The University is currently working towards reorganizing and expanding childcare services for the University community. This initiative has led to a new facility to be located at University Park, off of College Avenue in Old Town, just over one mile north of the current Children’s Center. The existing building will likely be removed.
SAE fraternity is not currently represented/recognized on campus. The house has existed on a land lease from the University that has recently expired and subsequently been extended under annual renewals. The current conceptual arrangement involves the relocation or removal of the house from its current location, but has yet to be finally agreed upon.
The existing boat launch and Steam Plant parking area are not expected to be impacted by the completed UMEC, although there certainly will be parking and traffic management to be addressed during the Project’s construction phase.
The Fay Hyland Botanical Garden abuts the south side of the existing Central Steam Plant site and runs south for approximately a quarter mile along the bank of the Stillwater River, occupying approximately 10 acres (Wikipedia link). Maintaining and perhaps improving the Hyland Garden is another important environmental aspect of the UMEC Project. The Project is expected to maintain setbacks from the river that will minimize potential effect, and may provide a beneficial opportunity to improve access for visitors from the Steam Plant Parking Lot.
xxx) How will this affect our Campus Carbon Commitment?
The UMEC project will likely allow UMaine to reach net-zero scope-1 emissions by 2030 (10 years ahead of schedule!).
xxxi) How will you offset the carbon emissions from campus buildings that are not connected to the campus District Steam Heating system?
First, we hope to reduce carbon impact through implementation of an ESPC project that will reduce energy, cost, and environmental impact for campus buildings that are not connected to the campus district steam heating system.
Beyond these demand-side measures, there is opportunity to potentially tie some of the buildings into the existing steam distribution system or convert individual buildings to use a renewable fuel sources such as a renewable natural gas or renewable liquid biofuel.
xxxii) What permitting has occurred and what still needs to be done?
Completed Permits:
Wetlands
Vernal Pools
Environmental Survey
Pending Permits:
Air emissions license
Native Lands
Historic Preservation
Stormwater (and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan)
Air Permitting
State Fire Marshal
Department of Transportation
Town of Orono
Versant/Emera Power Interconnection (Interconnection details)
Site location permit
Other utilities (renewable natural gas, water, sewer, etc.)