While Yale research scientists and faculty conduct experiments and educate future medical professionals at the School of Medicine campus, the vital support for their work happens quietly just blocks away. In the lower-level control room of Sterling Power Plant, operators work around the clock, ensuring these critical activities continue without interruption.
During the evening shift, Watch Engineer Roger Vandal and his colleagues Peter Jurgilewicz, utilities oiler, and Horace Dixon, operations technician, are responsible for keeping the plant running. Sterling Power Plant supplies essential utilities — steam, chilled water, and electricity — to Yale School of Medicine and portions of Yale New Haven Hospital.
“The operations I support, including Yale New Haven Hospital, Smilow Cancer Center, and research departments at the School of Medicine, need to stay up and running,” said Vandal. “It makes me feel good to know I’m supporting doctors, nurses, and scientists who are caring for people or searching for cures.”
“It makes me feel good to know I’m supporting doctors, nurses, and scientists who are caring for people or searching for cures.”
In the control room, surrounded by large computer monitors and jovial teammates, Vandal monitors Sterling’s machinery and triages any issues. “Technology has changed so much that most of the monitoring is done with computers,” he noted. From this room, which overlooks the noisy and expansive plant floor full of colorful pipes, massive boilers, chillers, turbines, pumps, and condensers, Vandal can easily access the mechanics to examine any issue.
“We closely watch the electricity, heating, and air conditioning controls. If something breaks down or is purposely shut down, we go into Sterling [Power Plant] to investigate, report, and get it fixed quickly,” said Vandal.
Vandal monitors Sterling’s machinery and triages any issues.
Year-round operations
Sterling Power Plant, built in 1923, operates continuously year-round, though the 100,000+ square foot plant sees most foot traffic from staff and contractors during daylight hours. During winter months, electricity usage picks up during the day as staff occupy buildings, while at night, outside temperatures drop, requiring more steam to keep spaces warm, which sometimes involves the activation of an additional boiler.
Summer brings peak demand on its systems, and Vandal and his teammates closely monitor chiller temperatures and backup machines. Despite the advanced equipment and computerized monitoring systems, the team still maintains a detailed paper logbook of all issues, documenting times, details, and resolutions.
“Yale is currently investing in load studies and strategies to improve the infrastructure so that it can expand and adhere to the sustainability goals while keeping pace with expansion of research, clinical, and lab spaces at the School of Medicine,” said Scott Wilson, assistant manager at Sterling Power Plant.
Personal journey
Vandal came to Yale 36 years ago after a 3-year stint in the US Navy working on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. He started as a boiler operator at the now dismantled Pierson-Sage Power Plant and gained more experience on the late-night tunnel crew and later learned to fix and maintain turbines at Central Power Plant.
In 2008, he transferred to Sterling and rotates night and day shifts between two teams. Vandal must maintain an Operating Stationary Engineer license which provides him technical knowledge and expertise in the control and monitoring of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and boilers.
Team dynamics
Vandal smiles as he talks about his job, Local 35 teammates, and the importance of Sterling and the utilities it supplies. He exudes a deep sense of pride when speaking about all the individuals, patients, and the research the power plant supports, and his role in keeping it operating.
“Many people — and about 35 buildings — depend on the utilities this plant provides, including powering subzero freezers that contain specimens for experiments or lights and vital equipment needed during a medical procedure. When things go awry, we must react quickly to get it fixed or activate a backup system so there are no outages,” said Vandal.
As the shift ends, there is an organized handoff to the morning crew. “The outgoing team summarizes any issues, and we will read through the logbook for specifics. We are like family here because we often spend holidays and birthdays together,” said Vandal. “If someone needs a ride to work or other support, we are there for each other. Our managers are wonderful, and that helps the spirit of the team and our drive,” said Vandal.
