GEA designed the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems for Astor Chocolate’s flagship manufacturing facility in New Jersey, incorporating a highly efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) solution centered around a 300-kilowatt microturbine array. This advanced system not only generates on-site electricity but also recovers waste heat for heating and drives an absorption chiller to provide cooling, forming a fully integrated cogeneration setup. By capturing and reusing thermal energy that would otherwise be lost, the system significantly reduces the facility’s reliance on grid-supplied electricity and fossil fuel-based HVAC systems, yielding substantial energy cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint.
GEA’s design supported Astor Chocolate’s goal of operating a high-performance, environmentally responsible facility. The project was one of the earliest and most successful CHP installations in the region and became a model for future clean energy projects. It was among the first to be funded by the New Jersey Clean Energy Program and earned recognition from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) for excellence in energy efficiency and sustainability. GEA’s engineering expertise was instrumental in aligning the facility with rigorous clean energy benchmarks while optimizing performance, reliability, and long-term operational savings.