New tool tracks energy technology

  • Published
  • By Ms. Jennifer Elmore
  • AFCESA/CEBH
Tyndall AFB, Fla. --  Efforts to identify and evaluate new energy technologies, and communicate that information across several Air Force agencies will soon be easier with a new tool that came online in February.

The Air Force Energy Technology Tracking Tool, known as "E3T," is an online database designed to document and categorize energy technologies that need further research, development, and evaluation versus those that are fully vetted. E3T will provide the Air Force Civil Engineering community quick access to thoroughly reviewed companies. It will improve collaboration between the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Air Force Research Laboratory, Headquarters Air Force, MAJCOMs, installations, and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Energy (SAF/IEN).

E3T Data

E3T will display industry feedback AFCESA gains through vendor visits, referrals and Requests for Information. RFIs help the Air Force gain industry perspectives, ideas and inputs on renewable energy technologies and projects, and may accelerate the procurement process for project identification and execution to the field. In 2011, AFCESA issued six RFIs to industry for information on the following technologies: small wind (<500kW), geothermal, small solar (<750 kW), large wind, large solar, and biomass/waste-to-energy. Manufacturers, product developers, system integrators, project managers, and consultants submitted 139 responses. AFCESA sent 28 RFIs to AFRL for further vendor authentication and concept analysis. Nineteen vendor responses could result in Request for Proposals and may eventually have successful project awards including:

· Small wind projects: Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont.; Altus AFB, Okla.
· Large wind projects: Sheppard AFB, Texas; Cape Cod AFS, Mass.; Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
· Small solar project: F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
· Large solar projects: Goodfellow AFB, Texas; JB McGuire-Dix-Lakenhurst, N.J.
· Geothermal projects: Luke AFB, Ariz.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
· Biomass /waste-to-energy projects: Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Keesler AFB, Miss.; Tyndall AFB, Fla.; Eglin AFB, Fla.

AFCESA, AFRL, Air Force Real Property Agency, and Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment will now work with Major Commands, Air Force installations, local communities, aviation authorities and others to develop the proposed projects.

E3T will also store the results of rapid technology assessments conducted by AFRL. RTAs are typically a "quick turnaround" company-specific assessment of technology used to answer senior leader questions. The Civil Engineer community is encouraged to add inputs into E3T as vendors expose potential technologies to the Air Force. It is intended to be a ready reference for Air Force offices approached by vendors with technology they want to provide or use on bases. Air Force CE team members could check for information about a vendor's process or technology and if not shown, forward it to AFCESA and AFRL for evaluation and inclusion.

Tri-Service Technology Database

The Air Force is designing a report feature so data can easily be shared between E3T and the Tri-Service Technology Database. The Air Force is part of the Tri-Service Technology Panel made up of representatives from the Air Force, Navy, Army, and Department of Defense who meet quarterly to discuss ways to accelerate the adoption of new renewable energy technologies across the Department of Defense. The group is in the early stages of developing a Tri-Service Technology Database to leverage the knowledge of each service to maximize limited funding for technology assessment and transition.