Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center: Energy Recovery, Resilience, and Sustainability Project

Presentation Description: This presentation will explore how Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center leveraged waste heat recovery through the integration of a NLine Energy Recovery Turbine into its district energy system - improving sustainability, resilience, and energy efficiency. Faced with growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions while maintaining 24/7 operations critical to patient care and research, the team implemented an innovative solution that captures previously wasted thermal energy to generate on-site electricity. The case study highlights key design considerations, technical integration, and project outcomes, including a projected 1.7 GWh of annual energy generation and meaningful carbon reductions. This session will provide real-world insight into how compact, scalable waste heat-to-power solutions can play a role in decarbonizing district energy systems without compromising operational reliability.

Case Study: Abstract: This case study details the integration of a NLine Energy Recovery Turbine into the district energy system at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center - an active, research-intensive hospital campus with around-the-clock energy needs. In response to rising electricity costs, institutional decarbonization goals, and a broader commitment to innovation in energy resilience, the facilities team pursued a solution to recover and reuse waste steam energy within the plant. The NLine turbine was installed to convert high-pressure waste steam into on-site electricity, capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted in a PRV. The compact, modular design allowed for seamless integration into the existing thermal infrastructure with minimal disruption to operations. Since commissioning, the system is projected to generate 1.7 GWh of electricity annually and reduce carbon emissions meaningfullya??without sacrificing reliability or uptime critical to patient care and medical research. This session will share insights from the design, procurement, and commissioning phases, as well as early performance data and key takeaways for other institutions seeking scalable, low-carbon, distributed energy solutions within district energy environments. https://higherlogicdownload.s3...

Darren Wager, PMP

Vice President of Sales

NLine Energy, Inc.

Darren serves as the Vice President of Sales for NLine Energy, Inc., a renewable energy development company focused on the generation of electricity by capturing unused potential energy from thermal and hydroelectric sources. With more than 20-years in power generation alone, from hydroelectric and thermal energy sources, Darren's knowledge and expertise are a perfect match for identifying energy recovery opportunities and executing successful projects for clients. Prior to NLine Energy, Darren worked for Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd. (Gilkes Hydro) who are leaders in providing hydroelectric turbines and energy solution packages to the sub 30MW hydro electric industry. His career prior to Gilkes was in the highly specialized, custom fabrication, machining, machine building, and refurbishment industry. Serving almost every market sector, he amassed a wealth of knowledge of the types of machinery utilized in each industry and actively negotiated contract frameworks while directing project management to ensure successful project execution. Since 2003, Darren has held his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management institute, which remains current to date. A background in welding engineering and a multitude of physical welding certifications to fabricate and weld industrial machinery were the starting point to his career. NLine's thermal division executes energy recovery projects with our patented Microsteam turbine by harnessing unused or untapped steam in a multitude of manufacturing processes. Industries such as forest products, hospitals, universities, food processing are all candidates for energy recovery and GHG reduction initiatives. NLine is headquartered in Bend, Oregon with manufacturing facilities in Oregon and Wyoming, and satellite offices in Pennsylvania, California, Washington, Florida, and Maine.

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