​  ​​Utilities Distribution Utilities are distributed to NIH buildings through underground walkable tunnels (2 miles), concrete trenches (2 miles), natural gas lines (3.6 miles), domestic water lines (12 miles) and steam and chilled water pipes (over 7 miles). There are over 300 manholes located around the campus, facilitating inspection and maintenance of the grounds utilities.
​CUP Facts and Figures	​	​
As of January, 2016	Chilled Water	Steam
Customer
Area served	11.8 million sq. ft.	11.8 million sq. ft.
Energy Sources
Number of units	12 chillers	5 boilers, 1 cogeneration plant
Operations/Distribution
Design capacity	60,000 tons	980 kPPH
Firm capacity	55,000 tons	980 kPPH
Available capacity	60,000 tons	980 kPPH
Supply temperature	44 F	450 F
Return temperature	54 F	N/A
Supply pressure	110 psi	165 psi
Piping type	Welded steel, schedule 80 with insulation	Welded steel, schedule 80 with insulation
Piping trench length	>7 miles	>7 miles
	Electrical	Steam
Cogeneration plant capacity	23 MW	180 kPPH

Following Facts:

The Central Utility Plant (CUP) burns 3 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas per year to generate 1.8 billion pounds of steam and 190,000 megawatt hours (MWh) per year of electricity. 
 
The amount of natural gas burned in the CUP in a year is equivalent to 26 million gallons of gasoline.
 
In addition, NIH purchases 300,000 MWh per year of electricity.
 
The total energy use (fuel and electricity) at NIH is equivalent to the energy used by 50,000 average Maryland homes.
 
The total electricity use by NIH, 490,000 MWh per year, is equivalent to the electricity use by 35,000 Maryland homes.
 
In order to meet NIH’s air conditioning needs, NIH operates a large chiller plant.  The chiller plant peak electrical power requirement is 36 MW.
 
Annual power use is 165,000 MWh per year which is equivalent to the power used for air conditioning by more than 100,000 Maryland households.