US (MA): Massachusetts-based cultivation facility installs two chillers

Tecogen has received orders for two 400-ton Tecochill chillers for a cannabis cultivation facility in Massachusetts. "The chillers will provide cooling for the facility using inexpensive natural gas, with the free waste heat utilized for dehumidification," the team with the company explains. "A maintenance contract is expected to be executed once the units are installed later this year and will be serviced out of Tecogen's Waltham factory service center. The customer also plans to install additional Tecochill systems in the second phase of the facility."

"The Tecochill units for this facility reduce its electric capacity requirements by approximately 600 kW, thereby reducing both operating costs and facility infrastructure requirements. The two 400-ton Tecochill chillers are also expected to reduce the facility's GHG footprint by more than 700 tons/year compared to electric cooling."

"Cultivation facility owners understand that reducing energy costs is essential for long term viability in a highly competitive market," noted Stephen Lafaille, Director of Business Development at Tecogen, "Although electric chillers promise low initial capital costs, operating costs for electric chillers can become problematic, particularly given the increasing competitive challenges for cannabis cultivation facilities."

Tecogen has provided Tecochill chillers for 14 Massachusetts cannabis cultivation facilities, providing significant cost savings and greenhouse gas benefits when compared to traditional electric chillers. All of the facilities received energy efficiency incentives from local utilities for achieving efficiency goals, thereby reducing the capital cost to install equipment providing efficient gas cooling.

"This is our 35th Tecochill sold in the North American indoor cannabis cultivation industry, with more projects in our backlog," added Benjamin Locke, Tecogen CEO. "The Tecochill solution provides compelling operational cost savings similar to a traditional cogeneration system, but at a much lower capital cost, and provides long-term operational cost savings as well as resiliency to grid interruptions."