Central Energy Plant, MultiCare Medical Center, Tacoma, WA
Wood Harbinger provided program master planning and design services for a new, stand alone Central Energy Plant that contains two 40,000 lb/hr boilers, one 20,000 lb/hr boiler, room for a future 40,000 lb/hr boiler operating at 125 psig, and three 2.2 MW – 12.47 kV emergency generators, with space for a future generator.
This facility also contains 80,000 gallons of back-up No. 2 fuel oil, a new medical gas tank farm, a 175 psig compressed air system that will be used for both fuel oil atomization and shop air, shop area for the hospital’s maintenance staff, spare parts and hazardous material storage areas, conference room, control room, and supervisor’s office.
The emergency generators are connected to new 15 kV paralleling switchgear integral with a double-ended 15 kV utility service switch gear. This installation serves hot bus backup for both normal and emergency medium voltage campus and hospital distribution.
Initial project tasks included:
- Facilitating a Design Charrette to determine goals and requirements of the new facility. The Planning and Programming Charrette was attended by hospital management, maintenance and operations personnel, and representatives from all engineering disciplines;
- Completing a Steam Demand Study to determine appropriate plant sizing based on a 20-year Master Plan;
- Developing an Emergency Power Master Plan to determine current and future needs with a phasing plan to accommodate growth;
- Providing detailed analysis of the hospital and campus emergency and normal power demands now and in response to the campus’ comprehensive master plan;
- Establishing a phased program to serve initial normal and emergency 15 kV demands and budget constraints; and
- Developing cost estimates.