GIS Project Video

CSU Monterey Bay is located on the old Fort Ord Army base just outside of Monterey, CA. The University is comprised of both older Army facilities and newly constructed campus facilities. Heating is currently supplied by mostly older distributed boilers, which contribute to high heating and maintenance costs.

CSUMB secured the services of Salas O’Brien Engineers, Inc. to conduct a study to determine the feasibility of constructing a central combined heating and power plant. The study included both technical and financial analyses and determined that the project was feasible. Our role also included numerous presentations at the CSU Chancellor’s Office to secure funding for the project, which totals $8 million in direct “energy project” funding, $12 million in State-provided infrastructure funding, and $1.1 million in State-provided, scheduled maintenance funding. A portion of the $21 million package evolved from taking a “total impact” approach, which resulted from Salas O’Brien Engineers, Inc. integrating this project with the overall Campus Master Plan and with already programmed (and funded) Campus projects.

The funding includes a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, as well as all associated piping, distribution and controls. The physical plant is sized for eventual build-out to 3 mW, with Phase 1 funding the first 1mW engine. Because of Salas O'Brien Engineers, Inc.’s capabilities in the areas of planning, design, and construction oversight, the firm was selected to design the entire $21 million project. The project also includes coordination of all utilities and infrastructure for the new 200,000 square foot library, project management associated with CEQA, Air Quality permits, utility interconnection, design (schematic, design development and construction drawings), and construction administration.