News

Biomass Boiler Installed at UI Research Park

July 14, 2011

The UI's newest biomass boiler arrived at the UI Research Park last week and came to its final resting spot inside the Oakdale Renewable Energy Plant on Thursday, July 7. The boiler was shipped from the Hurst Boiler and Welding Company in Coolidge, Georgia. 

The biomass boiler replaces a natural gas boiler and will be used to supply steam and hot water for the UI Research Park. The new boiler will burn wood chips from the Iowa City and Linn County landfills

This project is part of the larger Oakdale Renewable Energy Plant project. The University of Iowa/Oakdale Research Park Campus utility system is undergoing modernization into a state-of-the-art district energy system in order to provide a cost-effective, reliable and renewable energy source in response to increased growth on that campus. The goal is to operate on 100% renewable energy

The boiler in the picture below weighs 79,000 pounds and was lifted into place using a 300-ton crane. 

SOURCE: UI Facilities Management