News>Bases 'REAP' awards for energy and water savings
Photos
At Charlotte Air National Guard Base in Charlotte, N.C., the commander reinvested energy refunds and savings into quality of life projects such as upgrades to the base gym and fitness track. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eddie Green)
Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, Alaska, uses a sophisticated energy management control system to monitor buildings and find energy savings. Currently the system saves the base more than $500,000. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Repairing a 30-gallon-per-minute leak at this water tower at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., helped save an estimated 15 million gallons of water per year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Eddie Green)
by Amy Ausley
Air Force Civil Engineer Center Public Affairs
10/19/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.(AFNS) -- The Air Force Civil Engineer Center recognized three installations with Reduce Energy Appreciation Program awards for renewable energy use and energy and water reduction. This year's winners are Charlotte Air National Guard Base, N.C.; Fairchild AFB, Wash.; and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Elmendorf leads the way, reducing energy 45 percent and water usage 48 percent. Much of the savings is attributed to a high-tech energy management control system.
"We have one of the most expansive and sophisticated EMCSs in the Air Force," said Francis Sheridan, the Elmendorf resource efficiency manager .
Elmendorf hired an analyst who focuses strictly on using the EMCS to find energy savings. Currently the system is saving $500,000 a year in energy costs, and new buildings are being added on a regular basis.
With nearly 20 hours of daylight in the summer and the opposite in winter, occupancy sensors make sure lights are off in unoccupied rooms and buildings, and parking lot patrols look for outdoor lights burning during daytime hours
Elmendorf engineers are also looking ahead to future renewable opportunities.
"A large portion of the renewable potential in the United States is in Alaska," said Michael Forcht, an Elmendorf energy manager. "We have the opportunity here, with different renewable sources, to conceivably become net zero in the next 10 years."
Charlotte Air National Guard Base With an energy intensity reduction of 23.5 percent and water usage reduction of 43 percent, Charlotte ANGB's leaders said everyone is on board with conservation efforts because they can see the benefit firsthand. The base has invested energy refunds and savings into quality of life projects such as an upgraded gym and fitness track and a memorial park where they can hold ceremonies.
When people on base see what their energy saving efforts can do, they are motivated to continue. Brig. Gen. Tony McMillan, the wing commander,said he believes improving quality of life issues means a stronger force in the future.
"Our people are our number one resource," he said. "If we can use the energy conservation program to give them a better life, and make them more fit individuals, then we're more readily deployable, and we're here for the long run."
Fairchild Air Force Base Fairchild Airmen are motivated by the Air Force's mission.
"Everyone is on board with figuring out the best way to save a nickel because every dollar we spend on energy is a dollar we don't spend on flying airplanes or fighting the war," said Ron Daniels, the base's deputy civil engineer
"That's pretty good motivation," he said.
That motivation led to an energy reduction of 14 percent and water reduction of 13 percent.
Fairchild, like Elmendorf, uses an EMCS and leaders there believe the system, along with the decommissioning of two steam plants, has made all the difference. With new boilers in many buildings and the EMCS controlling temperature set points and tracking maintenance issues, the base steadily decreased energy intensity. The base also repaired a 30-gallon-per-minute leak in a water tower, which will save an estimated 15 million gallons a year. Irrigation demands have also been reduced as many buildings are now landscaped with rock gardens.
The Way Forward All three winning bases have big plans for the future.
Charlotte hopes a new photovoltaic solar array at the fire station will make the building net zero for energy. Fairchild is installing a "smart-irrigation" system that monitors the soil to determine irrigation amounts, and Elmendorf has a major LED streetlight project underway.
To view this year's REAP award videos, visit the links below:
