Funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the City of New York, a 400-kilowatt cogeneration (cogen) plant now shares space with the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. A winning combination, the museum saves thousands of dollars in energy cost while the facility provides a fascinating, site-specific exhibit space to educate visitors about the cogen process.

Locating the plant aboard the ship instead of on the pier greatly diminished the threat of flooding, and restored views of the river obscured by the old plant. In addition, the plant provides enough backup power to render the Intrepid Museum an important resource for first responders in the event of a disaster.

Collado provided the HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection design for the cogen plant, mechanical rooms and related ancillary equipment, located on the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th decks.  Air conditioning, ventilation, lighting, fire alarm, drainage and sprinkler support systems were skillfully integrated into the space—a challenge due to the ship’s limited headroom and 3-4 inch thick plate steel construction.