East Hartford High School Tri-Gen and Standby Generator

Project Overview

East Hartford, CT –

SES served as the Commissioning Authority (CxA) for the replacement of East Hartford High School’s aging Tri-Gen micro-turbine-based co-generation plant and absorption chiller with two higher-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) cogeneration systems and a high-efficiency water-cooled electric screw chiller. Located within the school’s dedicated mechanical shed, this central plant upgrade represents a significant investment in long-term energy efficiency, campus resilience, and operational reliability for East Hartford Public Schools.

SES was engaged during the construction phase by the General Contractor and worked closely with the design team and the building automation contractor. SES performed numerous site visits throughout construction to verify that new system installations reflected design intent and to support the owner’s facilities management team in preparing to operate and maintain the incoming equipment. Commissioning scope included functional performance testing of the two CHP cogeneration systems, brazed plate heat exchangers, heat rejection units, water-cooled screw chiller, cooling tower, five hydronic pumps, PLC touch screen interface, current transformers and watt transducer for load-following control, and the modified direct digital control (DDC) system.

Functional performance testing was conducted over several weeks and included verification of equipment modes of operation, automatic temperature control sequences, sensor calibration, and water system balancing. All commissioning issues were tracked in real time through the SES Commissioning Portal, providing transparency and accountability across the full project team. Deficiencies identified during testing, including a non-operational refrigerant leak detection system and deteriorated piping insulation within the mechanical shed, were clearly documented with recommendations for resolution. SES reviewed O&M manuals for completeness to ensure that school facilities staff was equipped for long-term operational success. The completed commissioning effort delivered a modern, high-efficiency central plant operating as designed, positioned to serve the campus reliably for years to come.