Robins ESPC takes major step forward

  • Published
  • By Kevin Elliott
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force Civil Engineer Center recently announced the accomplishment of a significant milestone in a sweeping energy savings performance contract, or ESPC, at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

An Air Force team of installation, major command and AFCEC subject matter experts has selected the private sector energy savings company, or ESCO, that provided the best preliminary assessment of the project and will move forward with the ESPC. Schneider Electric Buildings Americas, Inc. is now invited to conduct a detailed investment grade energy audit of base facilities; the next step in the ESPC process.

The scope of the ESPC includes optimizing or decentralizing a central steam heating plant, installing industrial control systems to coordinate all heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, lighting and hot water systems for each facility, creating a "net-zero energy" complex within the dormitory area and retro-commissioning up to 40 other facilities across the base. Schneider Electric can also propose other energy conservation measures they discover in the facilities included in the project scope during the investment grade audit. Because of this, the magnitude of this effort will likely grow.

"As part of Air Force Materiel Command, Robins is a depot base, so the project is large and will have significant impact, especially considering heat plant decentralization," said Mike Ringenberg, AFCEC project manager for the ESPC. "This is really going to move the needle on energy savings for the Air Force."

Robins AFB is home to the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, an industrial-scale hub of hangars and other facilities responsible for the repair, modification and overhaul of the F-15 Eagle, C-130 Hercules and C-5 Galaxy aircraft, and management support for airframes to include the U-2 Dragon Lady and all Air Force helicopters. As such, Robins is one of the largest industrial centers in the state of Georgia, with an average annual utility bill of more than $24 million. This massive need for energy made the ESPC an attractive option for accomplishing energy efficiencies to trim consumption, said Ringenberg.

Due to a constrained budget environment, the Air Force is utilizing third-party financing tools like ESPCs to accomplish energy-efficiency upgrades at its installations. Under the ESPC model, energy savings companies 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 higher-efficiency equipment.

"This is an exciting project for the Schneider Electric team as we work to help Robins Air Force Base become a leader in energy efficiency," said Michael Reed of Schneider Electric's Buildings Business Federal Team. "This energy project will save millions of British Thermal Units while making improvements to the installation infrastructure and helping improve the local environment."

Once Schneider Electric completes the investment grade audit, the report will be submitted to the Air Force for review. After review and any necessary adjustments, the ESCO will submit a final proposal, followed by contract award and construction.

The Air Force is currently pursuing potential ESPC opportunities across its installations valued at approximately $416 million by the end of 2016.