Since 1995, MIT has produced a portion of its own power on campus through a highly efficient combined heat and power (CHP) process, also known as cogeneration. Cogeneration uses one fuel to generate two types of energy: electrical and thermal. By capturing and using heat that would otherwise go to waste, cogeneration reduces the overall fuel consumed, increasing the efficiency of the process and making it one of the cleaner and most cost-effective energy production options available.

When the natural gas turbine in the Central Utilities Plant (CUP) reached the end of its useful life, MIT upgraded the facility, replacing the original turbine with two 22-megawatt turbines, each coupled to a heat recovery steam generator. Two new steam-driven chillers to create cooled air were also installed, along with a 2-megawatt emergency engine, new cooling towers, and state-of-the-art controls to reduce pollutants.

The upgraded CUP now runs entirely on natural gas, eliminating the use of fuel oil on campus except for emergencies and testing. Energy efficiency has increased due to new equipment and controls as well as the system's ability to combine loads for multiple buildings, creating economies of scale. Regulated pollutant emissions (including nitrogen oxides) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have been reduced, and the plant's Increased capacity and reliability serve to boost campus resiliency. In most situations when outside power is lost, the new turbines are designed to start up in the absence of external power and maintain or restore heat and electricity for the majority of campus, safeguarding residences and protecting vital research.

By upgrading its cogeneration energy resource, MIT created a flexible power system that positions the Institute to explore emerging sustainability and efficiency measures. Able to adapt and evolve in response to advances in the energy field, the expanded plant is central to MIT’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at least 32% by 2030.