A new chilled water plant in Baltimore that is a collaboration among Veolia Energy Baltimore Cooling, the Baltimore Convention Center, and the Maryland Stadium Authority has eliminated 6,137 tons of carbon and saves the city nearly $190,000 in electricity costs annually.
The project has been called a win for sustainable district energy infrastructure and the potential for green technology to improve energy efficiencies and customers’ quality of life while also stimulating the local economy.
The Baltimore Convention Center is now home to a 5,400-ton capacity Plant 1 facility and will provide chilled water to the 
convention center, Camden Station at Oriole Park, and more than 50 major customers in the city. The plants are operated by Veolia, a subsidiary of Veolia North America, a leading provider of environmental solutions and optimized resource management.
As for the numbers, the plant eliminates 60,000 pounds of R-22, an ozone-depleting refrigerant, and will save the city an estimated $189,172 in annual electricity costs due to the plant’s new efficient infrastructure. By utilizing nighttime electricity reserves to produce up to 48,000 ton-hours of ice storage capacity, the plant maximizes additional equipment efficiencies.
Long-time IAVM member Peggy Daidakis, executive director of the Baltimore Convention Center, is thrilled about the new water plant and addressed her thoughts in a wire story.
“As sustainability and ‘green’ meetings become increasingly important in the hospitality industry, we are challenged to find innovative ways to leverage partnerships with our local and state governments, as well as private industry, to satisfy the ever increasing expectations of our clientele,” she said. “The new Chilled Water Plant 1 is in step with helping us reach our sustainability goals for cleaner, greener meetings.”
“By providing technical, legal, and financial guidance, the Maryland Stadium Authority is pleased to be part of the team that worked tirelessly to ensure that the Baltimore Convention Center provides an excellent customer experience that benefits the local economy and environment,” added Michael Frenz, executive director of the Maryland Stadium Authority.
