Phillips Academy Andover

At a Glance
• System Configuration: 2 × C65 Dual Mode Capstone Microturbines with controls
• Annual Generation: >1,000 MWh/year of clean, grid-synchronized electricity
• Thermal Output: 860,000 BTU/hr of recovered hot water for natatorium pool heating, domestic hot water, and building hydronic heat
• Sustainability & Architectural Honors: Commissioned in 2023; core MEP component supporting LEED Silver certification and New England AIA Merit Award recognition


The Challenge
Founded in 1778, Phillips Academy Andover in Massachusetts constructed the state-of-the-art, 70,000-square-foot Pan Athletic Center - housing an Olympic-sized swimming and diving complex, dance studios, wrestling facilities, and the Athletics Hall of Honor. Energy-intensive natatoriums require continuous year-round thermal energy to maintain pool temperatures and prevent indoor moisture condensation. To protect student well-being, support NESCAC athletic competitions, and manage long-term operational costs, the Academy needed a highly efficient on-site energy solution that could supply heavy thermal loads while providing uninterrupted power backup during grid outages.


The Solution
Veristar partnered with Phillips Academy Andover to engineer and deliver an advanced 130 kW Dual-Mode Combined Heat & Power (CHP) system featuring two Capstone C65 microturbines managed via a controller.
• On-Site Baseload Electricity: Produces over 1,000 MWh of clean electricity annually, offsetting expensive utility power purchases across the 70,000-square-foot athletic complex.
• Natatorium & Building Heat Recovery: Captures 860,000 BTU/hr of exhaust waste heat to provide year-round water heating for the energy-intensive pool complex, domestic hot water, and space heating.
• Island Mode Power Resiliency: Features dual-mode controls that automatically transition to independent island mode during local grid blackouts, safeguarding continuous building operations and pool conditioning.
• Smart Remote Management: Incorporates a controller to optimize heat capture, track performance metrics, and enable essential remote service capabilities.


The Results
• $100,000 Annual Savings: Significantly lowers Academy utility expenditures by maximizing single-source fuel efficiency for electricity and heavy pool heating.
• Unwavering Athletic Continuity: Protects training, competition, and student wellness operations with seamless, autonomous backup power during utility interruptions.
• Supports LEED Silver Certification: Operates as a central MEP sustainability showcase within the award-winning facility alongside daylighting design and high-performance building envelope systems.
• Future-Proof Infrastructure: Designed with built-in provisions for solar PV integration and physical expansion capacity for an additional microturbine to support future campus developments.