Toray Launches Second Cogeneration Power Facility
- Published: October 22, 2014
NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI | Toray Plastics (America) is now operating a second cogeneration system at its 70-acre North Kingstown campus. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 25 was hosted by president and CEO Mike Brandmeier, who welcomed among others Kazuo Morimoto, CEO representative to the Americas, Toray Industries (America).
The new cogeneration system produces electricity and steam for the Torayfan polypropylene film division and steam for the Lumirror polyester film division. It was operational in August and will enable Toray to continue uninterrupted manufacturing during an unexpected local power outage, such as can occur under severe weather conditions like those of Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The first cogeneration system, which was installed in 2003, together with the new facility will produce 145,000,000 kWh and reduce CO2 by an estimated 25,000 tons annually.
In his remarks that day Brandmeier said, "We need to continue to be at the cutting edge of new technology. We need to find ways to make new investments that shore up our cost structure, that allow us to expand in a high-cost area and yet still be the lowest cost producer." He cited Toray's US$2 million investment in 2011 in its solar farm and the US$23 million investment in the new cogeneration facility, which included funds from the State of Rhode Island and National Grid.
Rhode Island Governor Chafee said, "This new combined heat and power facility will lower energy costs, reduce air pollution, and support local jobs. Working with businesses such as Toray to achieve these benefits has been one of my administration's highest priorities, and I am thrilled to see the plant come on-line."
The US$22.7 million project was paid for by Toray and with funds from National Grid's Energy Efficiency Program, developed in collaboration with the state of Rhode Island. National Grid supplies 100% of the electricity distributed to Toray beyond Toray's own cogenerated electricity. Toray's sustainability initiative, begun in 2004, includes the use of solar power, zero landfill, and extensive recycling, among other features.
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