Fresh Direct

Project Type: energy

Location: new York, nY

Services: Engineering

Size: n/a

Highland Associates has been commissioned to assist HT Lyons in a
Design-Build project for a new state-of-the-art, 500,000 square foot food
processing and distribution facility. 

This leading online direct-to-consumer food and grocery provider needed
the ability to generate power for critical systems during major outages, 
like those experienced during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Receiving a
NYSERDA matching grant, this fresh food provider was able to install a
new 1.2 megawatt (MW) microturbine system with expandable frame
to 2.0 MW total. Switchgear and power generation equipment were
positioned on the roof out of range of storm surges and flooding. 

Under normal operation, the 1.2 MW combined heat and power (CHP)  
provides on-site generation of electricity, and waste heat is captured  
to generate high volumes of potable hot water. In a sustained power
outage, the electricity generated—utilizing in island mode—will operate
the plant’s refrigeration system, including large walk-in freezers, coolers
and refrigerators. This ability to generate power for critical systems
safeguards product and prevents financial losses during power outages. 
The approximate payback on the initial investment is 7 years.