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Central Utility Plant
Background
Construction of the Central Utility Plant began in September 2009 as part of the Airport Improvement Program. The Central Utility Plant, a design-build project, allowed contractors to both design and construct the facility, resulting in time savings when compared with traditional design-bid-build procurement.
The Central Utility Plant Project was completed in late 2010, and is currently on-line supplying the Thomas F. Riley Terminal complex with power and with chilled water to serve the air conditioning system. The facility houses four natural gas-fired internal combustion engines driving a total of seven megawatts of electricity and two 550 ton absorption chillers, one 125 ton air cooled centrifugal chiller, three 750 ton centrifugal chillers and all ancillary mechanical support equipment. Constructed with a state-of-the-art emission control system, the Central Utility Plant complies with all South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) regulations.
Because the site is visible to the public, the Airport utilized landscaping to screen the building and related outdoor equipment. As part of the landscape plan, all existing healthy palm trees located on the building site were saved and replanted around the periphery of the new building's footprint at the start of construction. Below is a photo of the completed project.
Power Generation Support
With the Central Utility Plant in place, John Wayne Airport will continue to purchase approximately 5% of its power supply from Southern California Edison Company (SCE) via a 12kV feed. This source of power can be used if the engine generator service is interrupted for any reason.
Air Conditioning System Support
The Central Utility Plant is equipped with waste heat recovery equipment associated with the natural gas engine generators. The recovered waste heat will be utilized to generate1800 tons refrigeration capacity via absorption chillers which satisfies most of the Airport's needs of the chilled water year-round. The Central Utility Plant is also equipped with electric operated water chillers to help satisfy the Airport's chilled water demand.
Budget
The Central Utility Plant Project cost is $30.5 million. The project was funded by Airport revenues.
Contractors
Program Manager: |
Parsons (www.parsons.com) |
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Bridging Documents: |
Popov Engineers, Inc. (www.popovinc.com) |
Construction Manager: |
Barnhart Balfour Beatty (www.barnhart-balfourbeatty.com) |
Design-Build Contractor: |
West Coast Air Conditioning Company, Inc. |
The Airport Improvement Program includes construction of a new South Remain-Over-Night (RON) aircraft parking area, a new multi-level Terminal C with six new commercial passenger gates, new security checkpoints, new commuter facilities as well as new Parking Structure C and a Central Utility Plant.
Last updated: March 2011