PSNH Energy Park

Site Address

780 North Commercial Street
Manchester, NH 03101

Construction Information

Renewable Energy Features

General Information

This building was originally built in 1909 by the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company to provide steam and electric power to the millyard in Manchester. From 1929 to 1981 the electric generators in this building supplied electricity to the millyard and surrounding communities. From 1981 until 1998 PSNH was approached by developers hoping to tear the building down and use the site for new offices or a mall. But tearing down a structure so important to the history of Manchester and PSNH wasn't a viable option. Instead, PSNH leaders hoped that someday the timing, economics and other critical forces would align so the building could be renovated to once again become an important contributor to PSNH and the city. In 1998, the right forces did indeed come together. It started with the realization that the 30-year lease on PSNH's Hampshire Plaza headquarters would expire early in 2002. With PSNH headquarters located in downtown Manchester since 1926, remaining in the area was imperative. It wasn't long before the old steam plant became a candidate for the new corporate headquarters. For more detailed information on this building please go to: www.psnh.com/AboutPSNH/EnergyPark/Opportunity.asp

Features

Heat recovery ventilation, Grid Tied PV, Recycled Materials. In 2009 51.3 KW DC of solar photovoltaic (PV) electric panels were installed on the turbine building roof portion of the building as a solar PV demonstration project. The 51.3 KW DC power is converted to 277 volt AC power through eight DC to AC inverters. The roof PV panels system utilized a ballasted system to minimize roof penetrations. The live PV panels generation data and environmental data is available at PSNH's website (www.PSNH.com) under Energy and the Environment, Renewable Energy.

By sharing this data on our website PSNH hopes that both our employees and our customers can learn more about solar electric PV generation. The building uses Variable Frequency Drives to control the water source heat pump water loop flow based on the systems differential pressure. Water source heat pumps are used throughout the building to add or extract heat into or out of the heat pump water loop as called for by the thermostats controling each part of the building. There are many other features incorporated into the building design. PSNH Energy Park is now a showcase for energy efficiency, recycling and green building design. For example, the steel beams are made of recycled steel and all wallboard is covered with recycled paper. Sensor-controlled perimeter lighting as well as motion detecting office lighting saves up to 10% over traditional lighting methods. The building's heating and cooling needs are supplied by extremely efficient, digitally controlled water-source heat pumps. Because there are several heat pumps located throughout the building, temperatures can be raised or lowered in different areas based on demands. The installation of 173 new insulated windows was only one of the measures undertaken to make PSNH Energy Park a model of energy efficiency.

Directions

From Southern New England

• Travel north on either Route 3, Everett Turnpike, or Route 93.
• Both highways connect to I-293 North.
• Take Route 293 to Exit 6 (Amoskeag Bridge).
• Stay straight to go onto Front Street.
• Turn slight right onto Amoskeag Street, which becomes Amoskeag Bridge.
• Exit right off the bridge onto Canal Street.
• At the first set of lights turn right onto N. Commercial Street.

From Northern New England

• Travel south on Route 93 to Route 293.
• Take Route 293 to Exit 6 (Amoskeag Bridge).
• Right onto Eddy Road.
• Exit the rotary on the right after the Clarion Hotel.
• Exit right off the bridge and onto Canal Street.
• At the first set of lights turn right onto N. Commercial Street.

Get directions to this property