Siemens awarded energy saving performance contract at Spangdahlem

  • Published
  • By Jessica Dupree
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Huntsville, Alabama, recently released a notice of intent to award, or NOITA, identifying Siemens as the energy services company, or ESCO, chosen to complete an energy savings performance contract at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.

The primary scope of the ESPC is to convert the heating and hot water systems in 32 facilities at the base from fuel oil to natural gas.

Siemens was selected to perform a preliminary assessment, or PA, of Spangdahlem in January.  Upon release of the NOITA, the ESCO started an investment-grade audit. The IGA allows the ESCO to further develop energy conservation measures, or ECMs, identified in the PA to reduce energy usage throughout the installation.

"It's great to see the progress in ESPCs outside the continental United States," said AFCEC ESPC Project Manager Morgan Hurst. "The Spangdahlem AB ESPC going into the IGA phase continues to demonstrate that ESPCs are possible for OCONUS installations."

In addition to converting heating and hot water systems, Siemens also plans to install LED lighting retrofits and replacements, and upgrade and install outside air economizers.

"I am extremely excited about this ESPC and anticipate significant reductions in utility consumption coming from this initiative," said Spangdahlem Air Base Resource Efficiency Manager Eric Reeves. "If implemented, the identified ECMs SIEMENS is evaluating during the IGA phase will provide the base a huge step in meeting the goals of Executive Order 13693."

Under the ESPC model, ESCOs compete to finance, design, construct and manage energy projects, and maintain the systems long-term. ESPCs range from 10 years to a maximum of 25 years, with the Air Force paying the ESCO back over the term of the contract from cost savings garnered by the energy efficiency improvements they make.