bnr-Lansing-Cogeneration-Plant
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  4. Lansing Cogeneration Plant

Cogeneration Plant for Lansing’s Clean Energy Future

Cleaner, more flexible energy generation replaces an aging coal plant and supports Lansing’s transition to sustainable district heating.

Location

  • Lansing, Michigan, USA

Client

  • Lansing Board of Water & Light

Project Status

  • Completed

Awards

  • 2014 APPA Energy Innovator Award | 2013 ENR Midwest Best Project | AGC Build Michigan Award | LEED Gold Certification

After decades of service, Moore’s Park Power Station had reached the end of its useful life. Rather than invest in costly repairs to an aging coal-fired facility, the Lansing Board of Water & Light (BWL) envisioned a cleaner, more efficient future. The result was a new 110-MW combined cycle cogeneration plant in the city’s REO Town district, marking BWL’s first natural gas-fired steam facility.

Our team supported this transition by delivering comprehensive engineering and design services for the new plant, which now provides electricity to the grid, powers BWL’s adjacent administrative offices and supplies up to 300,000 pounds of steam per hour for district heating.

Smart, sustainable solution

The REO Town plant was designed with sustainability and flexibility in mind. Two General Electric LM6000 combustion turbines generate electricity, while two once-through steam generators (OTSGs) capture waste heat to produce steam. This cogeneration approach significantly improves overall efficiency by using the same fuel source to generate both electricity and thermal energy.

The steam produced is used to heat BWL’s new headquarters, located adjacent to the plant and supports the city’s district heating system. To further reduce the facility’s environmental footprint, photovoltaic panels were installed on the rooftop of the administrative building, helping offset its energy use and allowing more power to be delivered to the grid.

Delivering a resilient energy future

We provided detailed design and procurement support, developed construction specifications and switchyard drawings, and prepared EPC bid documents. Our team also supported contract administration and reviewed technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle. Coordination with government authorities ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements.

The plant’s design allows it to operate in simple cycle mode when needed, offering operational flexibility and rapid startup capabilities. This adaptability helps preserve resources and ensures the plant can respond quickly to fluctuations in energy demand.

By transitioning from coal to natural gas, the REO Town plant has significantly reduced emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions have been cut by 50%, while mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions have been nearly eliminated. Nitrogen oxide emissions have been reduced by more than 85%, supporting BWL’s commitment to environmental stewardship and improving air quality for the Lansing community.

By transitioning from coal to natural gas, the REO Town plant has significantly reduced emissions.

Other challenges that we have overcome