Bases 'REAP' awards for energy and water savings Published Oct. 19, 2012 By Amy Ausley Air Force Civil Engineer Center Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The Air Force Civil Engineer Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is recognizing three installations with Reduce Energy Appreciation Program, or REAP, 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 JB 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," says Elmendorf's resource efficiency manager Francis Sheridan. 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 JB 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, 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. Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Tony McMillan 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 is 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 the base's Deputy Civil Engineer Ron Daniels. "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 JB Elmendorf, uses an EMCS and believes 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 netzero for energy. Fairchild is installing a "smart-irrigation" system, which 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: Charlotte ANG: http://bit.ly/Tsky2R Fairchild AFB: http://bit.ly/UMqmpe Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson: http://bit.ly/RbQeHQ