Issue link: https://tmcpulse.uberflip.com/i/834093
t m c » p u l s e | j u n e 2 0 1 7 9 ++ # *+$$$% +"&(+ !%*+ #!'%$ #+ + %$ +#+$$+$ )++Certified #!) + ( %!#* + % ++"#+#(+ But Swinson said excavating tunnels by hand is the cheapest and most effec- tive way to install large distribution lines that range from 6 to 60 inches for chilled water pipes and 2 to 16 inches for steam pipes. "Because of the size of the pipe, it's not possible to dig open ditches," Swinson said. "They would be so large, they would totally disrupt the flow of traffic and pedestrians in the area." The tunneling process begins by digging three 5-feet-by-5-feet square tunnels—one for chilled-water supply, the second for chilled-water return and the third for steam supply and condensate return. Construction crews install oak boards to the inside perimeter of the tunnels every 6 inches, then lay down a set of tracks. Once pipe casings have been installed in each tunnel, the chilled water and steam pipes are connected to existing distribution pipes. Because TECO serves the vast majority of buildings in the Texas Medical Center, individual institutions do not have to house, manage and oper- ate their own cumbersome heating and cooling equipment in large mechan- ical rooms. Not only is this a more cost-effective and efficient system, but institutions are able to save valuable real estate for other things. TECO received the U.S. Environ- mental Protection Agency's 2015 Energy Star CHP Award and was named a participant in the United Nations Environment Program Global District Energy in Cities Initiative for its reputation in efficiency and sustain- able, renewable energy. The TECO plant has had only one significant outage in 40 years. TECO CEO Steve Swinson. As the Texas Medical Center continues to grow and add new facilities, TECO is also continually expanding. The cooperative is currently extending its network of pipelines to three buildings: Memorial Hermann- TMC's Hermann Pavilion 2, Houston Methodist Hospital North Tower and Ben Taub Hospital. In addition TECO crews have already completed the construction of distribution lines around what will be the TMC 3 transla- tional research campus, scheduled to open south of the medical center in 2022. "Today, TECO is one of the most efficient, reliable plants in North America," Swinson said. "We really are to district energy what Texas Children's is to pediatrics, what Texas Heart Institute is to cardiovascular disease, what MD Anderson is to cancer." Credit: Courtesy photo A TECO employee walks the roof of the plant. Massive fans help cool chillers that are used to generate chilled water and keep temperatures comfortable in more than 20.3 million square feet of building space on the TMC campus.