A two-year project to upgrade Ohio University’s steam generation concludes this fall. The project, which began in summer of 2016 features two new and two retrofitted boilers at the Lausche Heating Plant. Those boilers produce the steam to heat the majority of the buildings across campus.

According to Ohio University Director of Infrastructure Projects Jon Cozad, the installation of the new boilers was part of the University’s move away from burning coal to generate steam. The University installed temporary boilers in 2015 when they discontinued coal use. Cozad said the purchase and installation of two new boilers and the installation of new components in the other two boilers means the University now has boilers that are more reliable and efficient. Although the primary purpose of steam generation is for heat, Cozad explained that the University is always generating steam since some campus buildings use steam for other processes, particularly in culinary services and research operations.

The project, with a total cost of $17.5 million, also included new controls for the boiler plant and improvements to the water treatment system at the Lausche Heating Plant. Facilities Management and Safety staff maintain and operate the Lausche Heating Plant.