In 2002, Williams replaced one of the three boilers at the heating plant with a boiler capable of supporting cogeneration, and installed a steam turbine/generator at the same time.

How Cogeneration Works
Cogeneration is the use of a primary energy source to produce more than one useful form of energy. In Williams' case, the primary energy source is either heavy fuel oil or natural gas, and it is used to generate both electricity and steam that heats campus buildings. More of the primary fuel is needed to generate the combined electricity and heat, as a higher pressure of steam is necessary to drive the generator than to heat the campus. However, the combination is more efficient than generating either electricity or heat alone, as the waste heat from the electricity generation is used to heat buildings. Electricity is only cogenerated during the heating season when the plant is on. The heating plant cogenerates around 6,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.

Boiler #3, installed in 2002