The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) recently recognized a team of Air Force Civil Engineering Center (AFCEC) energy professionals with the Federal Energy and Water Management Award. This prestigious accolade commends their outstanding contributions to one of the Department of the Air Force's most significant water conservation initiatives, achieved through an $86M Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
At the forefront of this effort stands Mike Ringenberg, AFCEC's ESPC and Utility Energy Service Contract (UESC) program manager within the energy directorate. Ringenberg's strategic vision and leadership were instrumental in addressing resource limitations at Kadena AB.
Project Completion and Achievements
Completed during Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, the project encompasses four major energy-saving measures, notably LED lighting installations and water system upgrades. These initiatives yielded significant savings and benefits for over 1,100 facilities, markedly enhancing the installation's energy efficiency and lighting quality.
Equally notable are the water upgrades implemented in over 1,000 facilities, resulting in the conservation of nearly 60 million gallons in FY22. This achievement is noteworthy given the island's restricted water supply, underscoring the project's pivotal role in sustainability and resource stewardship.
The project's success is further underscored by its effective coordination and resilience, prominently displayed in the installation’s military family housing areas. Aligned closely with the DAF’s mission assurance and sustainability objectives, this initiative is a model for ongoing ESPCs.
Looking beyond FY22, the project extends to finalizing a 10-MW diesel generator microgrid in FY23. This significant upgrade enhances mission reliability and resilience, reinforcing Kadena AB’s adaptability and readiness capabilities. Noteworthy innovations, such as logistics management, multi-service coordination, and the implementation of a standby microgrid, highlight the installation's potential for knowledge dissemination to other bases.
Furthermore, in addition to delivering substantial savings, the water and lighting energy conservation initiatives streamline inventory control and procurement processes. This comprehensive strategy fosters a resilient and efficient future for Kadena AB, setting a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure management across the DAF.
Continued Excellence in Energy Management
The AFCEC ESPC team remains dedicated to developing and executing projects, from concept development and proposals to construction and implementation. They will continue to uphold responsibility for the review and validation of annual measurement and verification reporting to ensure savings are fulfilled for the agreed term of the project. The team is committed to excellence and sustainability and looks forward to furthering their impactful contributions to energy management within the DAF.