Sullivan County, NH, purchased a Hurst biomass boiler district heating system with a backpressure steam turbine/generator. The Hurst system is serving the county’s 166-bed nursing home and 168-bed prison complex as well as two smaller onsite buildings in Unity, NH.

The biomass combined heat and power (CHP) district energy system constructed in Unity is almost entirely fueled by locally sourced, renewable wood chips, provided by Cousineau Forest Products of Henniker, NH. Producing heat and electricity for the 215,000-sq-feet of conditioned space, the system has replaced 95 percent of fuel oil purchases and 10 percent of the electric purchases in the nursing home.

Sullivan County officials project the annual fuel savings will pay for the construction bond within fifteen years.

Authorized Hurst company Thermal Systems coordinated and performed all specification and procurement services for the project.