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NAS Ft. Worth JRB Saving Energy with New Efficiency Contract

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091230-03
Release Date: 12/30/2009 3:16:00 PM

By NAVFAC Southeast Public Affairs Office

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) awarded a $7.1 million contract to NORESCO, LLC of Westborough, Mass., Dec. 9 providing an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) for Naval Air Station (NAS) Ft. Worth Joint Reserve Base (JRB).

An ESPC is a partnership between an energy services company (ESCO) and its customer formed for the purpose of financing and implementing cost-saving energy-efficiency improvements. The ESCO pays the up front cost of purchasing and installing new equipment and the customer repays the ESCO over the life of the contract from the cost savings resulting from the project.

Many changes will take place at NAS Ft. Worth JRB over the next 20 months that will provide nearly $720,000 in energy cost savings and 28,067 MBTUs per year.

Energy conservation measures for this contract will include HVAC upgrades and controls, energy efficient lighting upgrades including Photovoltaic (PV) and Power Factor Correction. The HVAC and controls upgrades will effect 20 base facilities and the energy efficient lighting retrofit will effect 27 base facilities.

"Overall, during the next 20 months, the base will receive new utilities infrastructure, optimized HVAC performance and more energy efficient lighting systems," said Nelson Wells, Public Works Department Ft. Worth resource efficiency manager.

"Photovoltaic is distinct from other kinds of solar energy in that it harnesses the sun's light, rather than its heat," said Wells.

"Photo means light and voltaic refers to volt, a unit of electricity; hence, photovoltaic activity is the process where electricity is generated using the sun's light," said Wells.

To accomplish this, a 10-kW solar array will be mounted on a carport structure located at the parking lot of Building 1802 and tied into the existing electrical power grid.

"So, if you've ever used a solar calculator, you've seen PV in action," commented Wells.

Not only will the project utilize green technology, it will also increase the power factor which utility companies measure for efficiency.

"Historically, NAS Ft. Worth JRB's power factor is 0.89, which results in penalty charges of nearly $50,000 each year," stated Wells. "The power factor correction will increase the power factor from 0.89 to above 0.95, thereby eliminating the penalty."

ESPC projects take a lot of coordination.

"It took over a year from project inception to award," said Wells. "Several months to survey the base, develop the detailed energy study, coordination and discussions between the government and contractor, negotiations, and then the final contract award."

Although the process is long, this effort will further enhance the Region's ability to implement its energy strategy and move towards the President's goal of energy independence.

For more news from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navfachq/.