Keeping Pace
Already the world’s largest medical
center, TMC is on track to add more
than 12 million sq ft of space over the
next 10 years. In 2008 alone, 26 new
construction starts are planned, adding
a total of 6 million sq ft.
In response, TECO purchased a 2-acre
tract adjacent to the main plant for plant
expansion. A master plan was needed to
ensure that the use of the very limited
available land was optimized and that
all the critical loads could be met with a
highly reliable ‘just-in-time’ utility system.
Last year, TECO began implement-
ing a comprehensive energy system
master plan that will set the com-
pany’s course for the next 15 years.
In 2006, with the assistance of
Jacobs Carter Burgess, TECO embarked
on developing a utility master plan that
would embrace the fundamental tenets
of reliability, cost-effective service, efficient conversion of fuel to useful energy,
environmental responsibility and modular
growth to match the Texas Medical
Center’s expansion.
It was timely that the Texas Medical
Center itself completed a 50-year master
plan in 2006, which established a framework to guide institutional growth and
improve the physical environment of the
Texas Medical Center. The plan includes
nine major initiatives such as coordinating
growth, improving streets and access,
and linking transit service and parking
that will strengthen the campus as a
whole. This provided a guidepost for
TECO’s planning efforts.
TECO’s initial master planning process
included approximately 12 months of
biweekly meetings between TECO and
Jacobs Carter Burgess, developing detailed
load projections and analyzing discrete
project alternatives to meet the load
growth most efficiently. System improvements were modeled, and cost estimates
were prepared for each option.
The planning incorporated information from current Texas Medical Center
customers on their anticipated expansions
as well as monthly facilities planning and
construction updates from each member
institution. Most of the larger Texas
Medical Center institutions have a formal
master planning process. Those that do
typically share updates with TECO, but
where information was not available
from the institutions, TECO and Jacobs
Carter Burgess projected future loads
based on their experience with similar
Texas Medical Center facilities.
TECO’s master planning process
accomplished the following:
projected load growth until 2021
prepared a hydraulic analysis of
chilled-water and steam distribution
systems
evaluated options to expand the
chilled-water and steam distribution
systems
evaluated multiple combined heat
and power system options
evaluated multiple chiller options
prepared a reliability analysis for
chiller redundancy
evaluated options for upgrading the
138 kV substation and the electrical
distribution systems
estimated the first-cost and lifecycle
cost of each option, evaluated
against a base case of installing electric driven chillers without CHP
From the outset of the master planning process, it was not a given that all
new heating and cooling loads would be
served by TECO. In the Houston climate,
it is common for office or classroom
space to be served with electric strip heat.
As a result, the master plan included an
economic analysis of TECO steam compared to building boilers or electric heat
for three facility types: office/classroom,
hospital and research. The analysis indicated that using TECO steam has the lowest lifecycle cost for hospital and research
facilities, but not for office/classroom space.
The Texas Medical Center organization is a huge proponent of its member
institutions using TECO’s services so that
all its land – all extremely high-density –
can be used for its best and highest value.
Most member institutions agree, and TECO
serves approximately 75 percent of Texas
What’s Next at the Texas Medical Center
Undergoing largest construction boom in its more than
60-year history
$7 billion in new projects planned through 2014 by
member institutions
Campus building space projected to grow from current
28. 3 million gross sq ft to 40 million gross sq ft in 2014
Work force projected to increase from today’s 73,600 to
more than 100,000
Four multilevel buildings completed in 2007, adding
1 million gross sq ft
26 new construction starts planned for 2008, with 6
million gross sq ft
New space allocated as 46 percent for patient care, 26
percent for research, 28 percent for education and office
space through 2014
Courtesy Texas Medical Center.
The Texas Medical Center campus, shown here, is expected to expand by 12
million sq ft of space in member institution buildings over the next 10 years.
TECO currently delivers steam and chilled water to 42 campus buildings.
