Department of Energy Awards NDW Energy Program
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS141023-10
Release Date: 10/23/2014 4:25:00 PM
By Shawn Miller, Naval District Washington Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Federal Interagency Energy Policy Committee have selected the Naval District Washington (NDW) and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Washington energy program for a 2014 Federal Energy and Water Management Award.
The award, set to be presented during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, recognizes the region's 2013-14 energy initiatives and accomplishments to include energy intensity and water intensity reduction across each of the six installations within NDW through the program's focus on five energy pillars: energy culture, information, efficiency, renewable energy/alternative fuels, and energy security.
'We are extremely pleased and honored to be recognized by the Department of Energy for our energy accomplishments,' said NAVFAC Commanding Officer Rear Adm. Kate Gregory when the DOE awards were announced earlier this year. 'Energy conservation is a high priority at all of our bases, and these programs reflect our ongoing commitment in meeting the secretary of the Navy's energy goals.'
The NDW energy policy released last year calls for energy to be a top priority for all hands at all times. The program has continued its efforts into 2014, launching new projects and bolstering leadership roles. Recent initiatives include the D.C. Capital Solar Challenge, focused on renewable energy across NDW; the NAVFAC Washington retro-commissioning and continuous commissioning programs; the Transportation Alternative Fuels Program and the Shore Operations Center Pilot Study at the Washington Navy Yard, which serves as a centralized hub using SmartGrid technology and advanced energy meters to monitor power usage on an individual building level across the installation.
NDW Energy Director Lt. Cmdr. Keith Benson said using a SmartGrid system and other advanced equipment are only part of the overall solution.
'Technology is a piece to energy management, but without the leadership engaged and running the program, the program goes nowhere,' Benson noted.
Building energy monitors as well as installation energy managers have been assigned to such leadership roles at each of the regional installations to help promote a positive energy culture and contribute to the overall NDW energy mission. Benson and other energy officials convene every two weeks for energy management boards, where they review efforts and identify new areas to explore.
NDW recently expanded options for alternative and renewable fuel use by installing electric vehicle charging stations for personal use at Navy Exchanges in the area, and last month announced a $27.9 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River to install upgraded lighting, ground source heat pump installation, water conservation measures, thermostats and controls replacement, and building envelope upgrades.
Benson said several more ESPCs and Utility Energy Services Contracts are already in the works for 2015, which will have a significant impact on reducing energy and water intensity even further in the future.
Other projects include replacing lighting fixtures with more efficient LED lights at various locations, as well as exploring options to possibly install solar photovoltaic panels at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and NAS Patuxent River.
Earning the DOE award for the comprehensive program is a positive way to recognize the efforts of everyone involved across all installations and at all levels of the NDW energy program, Benson added.
'We have a robust, comprehensive energy program that is starting to really work on all cylinders right now with key people and key focus areas,' he said. 'We're starting to see big differences being made. It's an exciting time to be working in energy.'
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