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Luke AFB takes energy efficiency to new heights
This story is based on an article written by Honeywell Solutions for Military Engineer. NOTE: Energy Services Bulletin welcomes stories written by or about Western customers. Contact Kevon Storie if you would like to submit a story about your utility's programs or services. The U.S. Air Force sets a high bar for environmental stewardship through efficiency measures and renewable energy purchases, even earning a Green Power Leadership Award in 2005 for its role in advancing green power and furthering the growth of the renewable energy market. Determined to contribute to this success, Western customer Luke Air Force Base, near Phoenix, Ariz., launched an aggressive and innovative energy conservation program. The base's efforts to increase its energy efficiency and comfort make a compelling case for savings through equipment upgrades and maintenance. Establishing a retrofit program In January 2006, Luke began an energy retrofit program as part of a $13.8-million energy savings performance contract with Honeywell. Luke had previously completed traditional, smaller-scale conservation projects, but aging and inefficient equipment continued to be a drain on the base's utility budget. Because Luke's utility budget falls under its general operations budget, high utility bills ate into the funds available for costly, but necessary, upgrades. The performance contract broke the vicious cycle, freeing the base to address deferred maintenance issues and implement significant facility upgrades. Under the contract, energy savings resulting from the upgrades go toward paying for the program. The savings are guaranteed, so the work—including infrastructure improvements, a renewable energy installation and long-term preventive maintenance services—won't raise budgets or tap into additional taxpayer dollars. "The project's innovative approach allowed us to make necessary improvements to our base exchange and address mandated energy savings," said former Luke Energy Manager John Li. Li is now the Energy Services representative for Western's Desert Southwest regional office. Base-wide commitment The retrofit program is a joint effort between Luke's Civil Engineering and Contracting squadrons. The scope of the project made gaining support from all areas within the base critical to success. Luke assembled its project team around the right mix of expertise and experience to reflect the project's broad impact and size. In addition to engineers and technicians, the cross-functional team included representatives from areas such as upper management and the finance department. Overall, the base's integrated approach helped to ensure smoother scheduling, faster approval processes, improved work quality and lower administration costs. When forming the work plan, Luke considered and compared all building systems and operations to identify areas with potential energy savings opportunities. The resulting upgrades mix traditional and renewable conservation measures to meet required Federal mandates and improve efficiency. The improvements affect more than 100 buildings across the base, with solar, lighting, HVAC and building control systems, and water treatment and conservation upgrades. Combined, the improvements are expected to generate savings of $21.8 million in energy and operational costs over the next 20 years. Savings from the sun A 144,000-sq. ft. integrated photovoltaic roof system at the Base Exchange Building is central to the project. The building, a prime spot for commerce and activity, was covered by an old, leaky roof that threatened thousands of dollars worth of inventory. With the help of performance contract financing, Luke was able to take on the large capital investment required for a new roof that includes integrated solar technology. Installed in two phases, the new roof is the largest integrated solar roof at an Air Force facility. It provides the base with more than 370 kilowatts of free, zero-emission power — enough energy to power more than 100 homes per year. In addition, Arizona Public Service, the local utility, will provide a $1,488,000 rebate to help pay for the system. APS will be able to count the power the system generates toward the state's renewable portfolio standard. This renewable energy measure improves Luke's control over its energy use and spending, while helping to meet Federal renewable energy mandates. By generating its own electricity, Luke lessens its dependence on the electric grid and fossil fuels, tapping the limitless energy supply from the hot Arizona sun. Also, the solar technology helps to offset electricity use during peak times, when demand and prices are highest. Centralized energy management and control The roof is tied into a new energy management control system, which runs on Luke's current local-area-network-based building automation platform and provides more centralized control for buildings and equipment. The system connects an automated metering device to the roof, allowing base personnel to demonstrate and track electricity production in real time. The energy management control system also includes base-wide HVAC equipment. HVAC is critical for maintaining comfort and productivity at the base, where the average summer temperature is well above 100 degrees. Previously, checking on the operating status of a building's systems required dialing the building's specific modem. With the new system, staff can access the entire network of building systems from a single point to adjust temperature setbacks or investigate the operating status of a specific boiler, saving time and money while reducing equipment strain and run-time. Lighting the way to efficiency Another part of Luke's energy-efficiency mix is new fluorescent lighting, which is 70 percent more efficient than the old lights. The light fixtures are tied in with a control system to take advantage of natural lighting when possible. The old lighting system consumed more power and had a shorter life, causing more frequent, sometimes labor-intensive replacements that had to be coordinated with other base operations. Scheduling difficulties often led to dimmer light levels and less-than-optimal working conditions in areas such as hangars. The new, more powerful lighting will last longer and provide substantial savings opportunities, from both maintenance and equipment replacement. Like lighting, water conservation measures can have a big impact on a facility's efficiency. Low-flow sinks, toilets and fixtures will help reduce base water consumption by millions of gallons each year. Maintenance is key Harsh desert weather can wreak havoc on water treatment systems, including chilled-water and air conditioning units. These units, which are critical to keeping Luke cool in the heat, require adequate, routine maintenance to halt deterioration and ensure they are operating efficiently. Luke performed an overhaul of more than 150 of its mechanical systems, scrubbing and replacing various parts. As a result, the base has seen a 20-percent improvement in the efficiency of its industrial water treatment system. The role of maintenance in maintaining efficiency is significant. Without regular maintenance, systems quickly lose their efficiency and require a substantial investment to restore the quality of their working parts. Luke has implemented a daily maintenance schedule, with two full-time maintenance staff members who perform daily services and inspect water treatment systems. The base has automated analysis of its critical systems by installing advanced measurement and metering devices, which report on system efficiency and performance. The work, all part of long-term preventive maintenance services under the performance contract, ensures the daily maintenance necessary to keep systems up and running optimally. Green measures yield results Less than a year into its performance contract, Luke is already realizing substantial energy and cost savings. The base continues to explore other renewable and sustainable ideas with Honeywell, including methods to incorporate biomass, to generate more "green" savings. Thanks to the project's innovative financing approach, Luke is achieving the seemingly impossible—leveraging a no-risk solution to maximize base comfort, meet stringent conservation requirements and lower energy costs. Please visit our home page at http://www.wapa.gov/es/pubs/esb/default.htm |
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