Air Force Renewable Energy Projects on the Rise Published Jan. 25, 2012 By Amy Ausley AFCESA Tyndall AFB, Fla. -- The Air Force has more than doubled its number of renewable energy projects in just one year. Data from the Annual Energy Management Report compiled by the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., shows there are approximately 194 projects installed or under construction at 71 Air Force locations. That number is up from 85 projects in 2010. New Subpanel The increase in projects can be attributed to several factors including better reporting by installations and a raised awareness of what projects are considered renewable. Another key tool to help bases and coordinate growing renewable energy efforts is the Renewable Energy Project Development Subpanel. The group is making it easier and faster for bases throughout the Air Force to get renewable energy projects up and running by providing leadership and coordination on each project. This includes giving guidance on everything from feasibility, the approval process, and methods of execution. The REPD brings all the renewable energy project players together including the field operating agencies, (AFCESA, Air Force Real Property Agency, Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment), MAJCOM energy staffs, and Headquarters Air Force energy staff. Before, installations, MAJCOMs, and support agencies were navigating the process on their own, without a uniform system for sharing and reporting information Air Force wide. This sometimes resulted in duplicated, flawed efforts and lack of communication. REPD members look at each renewable energy project individually to ensure, as each one is developed, it provides the greatest benefits for the installation and the Air Force. The goal is to balance compliance with energy goals, asset management goals, and economic feasibility. Projects that require REPD review include any using third-party financing or those that include a lease of Air Force property. AFCESA's Rates and Renewables Branch Chief Ken Gray, says, "The REPD helps to coordinate and navigate through the increasingly complex Air Force and Department of Defense review and approval process." The Process The process begins with a major command or base identifying a renewable project. The project concept and plan for execution is presented to the REPD. The REPD considers factors for authority to use, determines execution methods, and assists the project team in understanding additional issues. Once the subpanel agrees it is a viable project, the project development process begins. The Encroachment Working Group looks at the impact of the project on the base mission and other nearby Department of Defense facilities. Next is the unit beddown or Strategic Basing Process, controlled by AFI 10-503, which looks at long term land usage, considering many of the current renewable projects involve 20- to 30-year leases. Then there are land valuations, lease documents and a look at how the project will affect the commercial grid. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment, and Logistics reviews the project and must concur. There are at least eight different groups and agencies involved, and there could be even more depending on the size and environmental impacts of the project. According to Mr. Gray, the REPD can be a useful tool for getting through the process. "We've developed initial formats and points of contact and we can say, 'You've got to take this document and prepare it for this group, and here's where you send it.' That way nothing is missed and the project has a much better chance at success." The subpanel has evaluated more than 30 projects since March including solar, wind, biomass, waste-to- energy. The subpanel is monitoring several "net zero energy" buildings being developed under the MILCON program at AFCEE. One is located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The AFSOC Source Selection Facility is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes through a combination of solar hot water, photovoltaic panels, ground source heat pumps, and gray water/rainwater harvesting. Completion is expected in 2012. Renewable Energy Future The future for Air Force renewable energy projects is bright with several major projects planned to begin construction in 2012 including 14-megawatt solar arrays at Davis-Monthan AFB and Luke AFB, both in Ariz.; a 17MW solar array at Nellis AFB, Nev.; three 1MW solar arrays at Edwards AFB, Calif.; and two wind turbines at Cape Cod AFS, Mass. The REPD meets every two weeks. To submit a project for evaluation, contact The Air Force Facility Energy Center at (850) 283-6213 or (850) 283-6357.