August 18, 2025
Reviving Legacy Power: RED-Rochester Cogen Case Study
In the Factor This Power Engineering case study, learn how RED-Rochester repurposed a 38 MW gas turbine in a new cogeneration facility to meet rising electric demand with efficient, sustainable infrastructure.
At Eastman Business Park in Rochester, NY, home to more than 100 companies and once the historic headquarters of Kodak, RMF Engineering partnered with RED-Rochester and Frank Lill & Son to deliver an innovative cogeneration solution that balanced rising electric demand with sustainable infrastructure practices. Faced with a 25% increase in electric load and limited thermal growth, RED-Rochester needed a cost-effective way to expand capacity without compromising efficiency or reliability.
The solution was to refurbish and reuse a 1990-built 38 MW GE Frame 6B Gas Turbine Generator (GTG), pairing it with a new heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). RMF led the complex task of integrating this legacy asset into RED Rochester's existing systems, reengineering everything from structural foundations to electrical and mechanical interfaces. Using a detailed heat and mass balance model, the team validated the technical and economic viability of the project, ultimately extending the life of a proven machine while supporting the site's clean energy goals.
Authored by Jason Tippett of RMF Engineering, Dan Kelley of RED-Rochester, and Jakob Lill of Frank Lill & Son, the case study for Factor This Power Engineering showcases how thoughtful planning, engineering ingenuity, and strategic reuse of equipment can deliver high-performance energy solutions that are both sustainable and cost-effective.
Read the full article here: Case study: A second life for recycled equipment at RED-Rochester’s new cogeneration facility