PROFILE 96 By Susan Casey NE MARKET PLAZA isa 1.5-million-square-foot complex occupying an entire city block smack dab in the center of San Francisco's business district. Originally con- structed between 1972 and 1975, the structures—visible to Berkeley and Oakland commuters as they cross the Bay Bridge—underwent extensive remodeling from 1993 to 1995 by world-famous architect Cesar Pelli. In 2003, Paganini Electric Corp. San Francisco, was contracted to install a 1.5-megawatt cogeneration system. When that system came online in 2004, it was the first ofits kind in San Francisco. [t wasalso among the first on-site power systems to be interconnected to the San Francisco utility grid in full compliance with Pa~ cific Gas & Electric's (PG&E) Rule 21 Interconnection Standards. Its installation is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to find solutions for projected electricity supply shortages and transmission constraints. ‘The complex is set on Market Street, the thor- ‘oughfare that divides the city. Downtown and the financial district are to the north and the renovated arts and shopping district SoMa (short for South of Market), to the south. Two high-rise buildings, the 42-story Spear Tower and the 27-story Steuart Tower, a six-story retail and office annex that includes stores and restaurants, and a seven-story parking structure ‘make up the complex. “We've been workingat One Market Plaza for over25, years, said Ken Paganini, CEO of Paganini Electric. ‘While the company had installed cogeneration projects at industrial buildings, the installation of the cogeneration system at One Market Plaza was its first experience in installing one in an office building. Northern Power Systems Inc., Watsfeld, Vt, designed the system. “The cogeneration system at One Market repre- sents a progressive approach to energy management that provides benefits on many levels,” said Charles Curtis, vice president of Northern Power's Onsite T eureraion couratcion DEC.os Generation group. “We are proud of the positive impact this and other systems we engineered and installed are having, particularly in cities with over- burdened power supplies.” ‘The system consists of three 560-kilowatt (kW), natural gas-fired turbine engine generators by ‘Waukesha Electrie Systems Inc., Waukesha, Wis. AS the engines burn natural gas and create electricity, they exude heat. ‘The heat recovery process converts waste heat from the engine exhaust into steam that is converted into power and then directed to the building's existing boiler zoom to provide both heat and cooling for the buildings’ heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The three generators run 10 to 12 hours a day during peak hours to service mechanical and HVAC energy needs. "Northern Power's cogeneration system operates in parallel with the public utility. It can deliver up to 30 percent of One Market Plaza’s electricity and 85 per- cent of its steam needs for its space heating system. It is considered a “green” system that is efficient and friendly to the environment. By recovering waste heat, the system's overall fuel ef- Benet -approximately 60 percent compared to cficiencies of 30 percent from utility produced power Doubling fuel eficiency can educe reenhouse {gas emissions by up to 40 percent. “These fuel efficiencies qualify building owner, Eq- Paganini CompletesF COGENE Installation of city’s first on-site electric power system stru ternSP ioneering Project in { ~\ f \ | ® A : “i n uity Office Properties (EOP), owner and manager of 608 buildings nationwid for an incentive rebate from the Self Generation Incentive Program offered by the California Public Utility Commis sion (CPUC). and The program was established in 2001 to encourage on-site generation so as to re on. om duce peak demand and avoid rolling black- pay out like those experienced in recent years by our state” said Steve McDonagh, senior n. vice president of Paganini Electr “With nearly two-thirds of our nation’s itive __nonrenewable energy being consumed in and commercial fice buildings its the respon- over sibility of commercial uilding managers and owners throughout California to addres this KW), ise” said Frank Frank, senior vice presi- s by dent of EOP energy initiative, “By taking a 3A comprehensive and strategic approach to en- city ergy management, office owners and tenants can reap the benefits” from into Innovative and comprehensive sting The project required ingenuity and innova- the tion by Paganini Electric during every phase ning Theynotonly installed the completeeectrical 012 systems butalso turbine generators, controls, nical power and switch gea. The company’s main challenges included coordination related to isin installation of the generators, lack ofa cen 1030 —__tralized plant and having to be sensitive to sper the needs ofthe buildings tenants er Installation of three 500 kW generators tand which weigh eight tons each—was quite a job. Paganini Electric took extra care when lef transferring the generators into the building 2 ed t0 because they had only one inch of clearance, 3 ced “Once the units were safely inside the jouse structure, we had to manufacture custom termination cabinets foreach generator to Qne Market Plaza features the 42-story Spear Tower, 27-story Bq accept the large diameter service cable ssid Stuart Tower and a six-story annex and retail space. ion vw gemag con DEC.S «LCI oonteecion | 97