Cornell University Central Heat
Tompkins County, New York · EIA plant ID 50368 · Operator: Cornell University
Nameplate40MWSummer 33 MW
Generators6in service
Net generation230GWh12 mo to Dec 2025
Capacity factor80%gas/coal/oil units, summer MW
Heat rate4,645Btu/kWhfossil units, electric fuel, HHV
First online1988Runs as baseload
Monthly net generation
EIA-923, all units at the plant. Net of station use; storage can go negative.
FinalPreliminary
Capacity factor by year
Net MWh ÷ (summer MW × hours), gas/coal/oil units. Each year uses that year's EIA-860 ratings; the hollow dot is the latest 12 months.
Heat rate by year
Electric fuel MMBtu × 1000 ÷ net MWh (Btu/kWh, HHV), fossil units only; CT + CA counted as one combined-cycle block.
Annual data table
| Year | Net GWh | Capacity factor | Heat rate (Btu/kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 29.6 | — | — |
| 2002 | 30.2 | — | — |
| 2003 | 29.4 | 44.8% | 8,140 |
| 2004 | 28.2 | 42.9% | 4,690 |
| 2005 | 25.9 | 46.6% | 4,690 |
| 2006 | 23.3 | 41.9% | 4,690 |
| 2007 | 24.4 | 44.2% | 4,690 |
| 2008 | 21.4 | 38.7% | 4,690 |
| 2009 | 31.7 | 41.2% | 10,968 |
| 2010 | 190.8 | 70.5% | 11,118 |
| 2011 | 207 | 76.5% | 11,412 |
| 2012 | 203.6 | 75.0% | 11,301 |
| 2013 | 210 | 77.6% | 11,314 |
| 2014 | 202.5 | 74.8% | 11,331 |
| 2015 | 258.1 | 90.1% | 10,911 |
| 2016 | 259.5 | 90.3% | 4,635 |
| 2017 | 251.6 | 87.8% | 4,633 |
| 2018 | 261.9 | 91.4% | 4,630 |
| 2019 | 242.6 | 84.7% | 4,629 |
| 2020 | 232.4 | 80.9% | 4,641 |
| 2021 | 211 | 73.7% | 4,660 |
| 2022 | 207.6 | 72.5% | 4,655 |
| 2023 | 216.7 | 75.6% | 4,645 |
| 2024 | 222.4 | 77.4% | 4,646 |
| 2025 | 229.8 | 80.2% | 4,645 |
Fuel capability
Gas-fired turbines (CT/GT/CA/CS) that can also burn liquid fuel. EIA-860 Schedule 3 for capability, EIA-923 for actual burn.
StatusLikely still dual fuel
Liquid fuel burned · 36 mo8,162 MMBtu
Last month with liquid burnDec 2025
Switch while operatingYes
Net summer MW on gas25
Net summer MW on oil25
Time gas → oilup to 1 h (EIA 1H)
Time oil → gasup to 1 h (EIA 1H)
Generators
EIA-860 (annual) with EIA-860M updates through Sep 2026. EIA-923 reports generation by plant, prime mover and fuel, not by unit, so unit-level output isn't shown.
| Gen ID | Technology | Prime mover | Nameplate MW | Summer MW | Online | Status | Planned retirement | OEM / model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CT1 | Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle | CT | 15 | 12.3 | Dec 2009 | Operating | — | coming soon |
| CT2 | Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle | CT | 15 | 12.3 | Dec 2009 | Operating | — | coming soon |
| EDG1 | Petroleum Liquids | IC | 1 | 0.9 | Dec 2009 | Operating (Standby / backup) | — | coming soon |
| EDG2 | Petroleum Liquids | IC | 1 | 0.9 | Dec 2009 | Operating (Standby / backup) | — | coming soon |
| TG1 | Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle | CA | 1.8 | 1 | Jul 1988 | Operating (Standby / backup) | — | coming soon |
| TG2 | Natural Gas Fired Combined Cycle | CA | 5.7 | 5.3 | Oct 1988 | Operating | — | coming soon |
Owner / operator
Operator: Cornell University. Ownership shares by in-service nameplate MW (EIA-860 Schedule 4; units not listed there are wholly owned by the operator).
| Cornell University | 100.0% | 40 MW |
Nearby plants
Within 80 km.
| Cornell Hydro | 2 MW | 1.2 km |
| Ellis Solar | 18 MW | 3.5 km |
| Cornell Snyder Road Solar Array | 2 MW | 6.2 km |
| Newfield Community Solar LLC | 12 MW | 9.2 km |
| Enfield Community Solar | 2 MW | 9.8 km |
| NSF Danby Site 2, LLC | 5 MW | 10.1 km |