College uses generator to cut demand charges, heat swimming pool. (Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota)

SIOUX FALLS, S.D.--A 320-kilowatt diesel engine generator set installed by in-house staff at Augustana College here is expected to reduce the school's annual demand charges by $8,713.

The generator was installed in April at the school's Elmen Physical Education Center, an 86,000-square-foot athletic facility that includes an indoor track, basketball courts, and a swimming pool. According to Elmer Smolnisky, supervisor of maintenance, the $115,800-project enabled the school to take advantage of a cheaper interruptible rate from Northern States Power of South Dakota.

By shifting from a firm demand rate to a peak controlled rate, the school gets a $4.85 per kilowatt (kw) break from June through September, from which Smolnisky anticipates $5,180 in savings. This calculation was based on the previous year's …