NORWALK — The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk has unveiled an innovative Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system that will slash carbon emissions, cut costs, and set a new standard for environmental leadership in the region.
A Tuesday ribbon-cutting ceremony was a celebration of innovation, commitment, and community, according to Jason Patlis, president and CEO of The Maritime Aquarium. He was joined by Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, and Ayana Guests — including state and city elected representatives and officials, trustees, donors, community members, and project partners —toured the mechanical space where the transformation begins.
“While our typical ribbon-cutting is for a new exhibit or front-of-house experience that our guests can enjoy, this ribbon-cutting celebrates an initiative that in many ways will have a greater impact on their future and our community,” Patlis says. “By instituting a new heating and power system that will be active all year, we will significantly reduce our carbon footprint and lower our utility bills. The Maritime Aquarium is proving that environmental leadership starts at home.”
The new CHP system, fueled by natural gas, generates electricity while capturing and reusing waste heat. Paired with an absorption chiller, it delivers year-round efficiency: providing heat in the winter and cooling in the summer.
The impact is substantial:
- 324 tons of CO₂ eliminated annually, which is an 18% reduction in emissions. (324 tons is equivalent to the emissions from 64 gas-powered passenger vehicles in one year.)
- 30% lower carbon output compared to conventional energy sources.
- 20%–25% savings on utility costs, totaling about $200,000 per year.
This $1.6 million project, completed over 18 months, aligns with the Aquarium’s 10-year strategic plan and builds on a legacy of green innovation — from launching the nation’s first battery-powered, hybridelectric research vessel in 2014 to expanding solar energy initiatives.
In September, The Maritime Aquarium earned the Green Award for Innovation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a mark of distinction among the nation’s top 250 accredited institutions. The CHP system also advances The Maritime Aquarium’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035, part of a national climate commitment signed by 24 aquariums on Earth Day in 2022.
This milestone was made possible through the dedication of project manager Mark Robbins at MHR Development; Controlled Air; Westview Group; South Norwalk Electric and Water; and Eversource. Additional funding came from Chubb, M&T Bank, and Clay Fowler, chair of the aquarium’s Board of Trustees.
