Photos: Austin builds on green concepts

A big factor in the medical center's anticipated platinum-level LEED certification is on-site power generation. Seton entered a partnership in which Austin Power built a combined heat-and-power system that generates heat electricity from a gas turbine.

Steam from the process is also used to sterilize hospital equipment. By contracting with Austin Power, rather than building its own on-site heating and cooling, the hospital saved between $8 million and $10 million.