The College of New Jersey, Underground Steam District Energy System

Burns is leading a steam distribution system overhaul, replacing 50-year-old district energy infrastructure.

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is undertaking a sweeping project to extend the effective age of the top-ranked public institute’s utility infrastructure. TCNJ is replacing much of the 289-acre campus’ underground steam and condensate district energy system, overhauling the circa-1970s utilities system. The capital project is intended to maintain the central utility plant’s performance, reduce energy use, and enhance system-wide reliability.

TCNJ entrusted Burns to develop a multi-phased infrastructure replacement strategy and lead immediate system replacements. The first step involved creating a comprehensive survey of the district energy system’s mechanical and piping infrastructure through a combination of video and 360-degree image surveys. Working off the surveys, Burns created a “living” version of the campus steam system map, visualizing hydraulic system performance.

Burns’ assessment of the steam distribution system included analyses of:

• Central utility plant’s 5.2-MegaWatt (MW) combined heat and power plant, heat recovery steam generator, high-pressure steam boilers, and reciprocating natural gas compressors
• 11,000 linear feet of steam, condensate, and high-pressure drip underground piping
• 29 mechanical rooms and piping entry points
• 28 manholes’ structural and piping systems

Building off the assessment, Burns identified recommended repairs for the campus’ core distribution infrastructure, including replacement of four manhole systems. Improvements will enable TCNJ to extend the lifespan of existing campus infrastructure.

Construction is scheduled to complete prior to the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.