Turning energy awareness into action Published Oct. 18, 2011 By Glenda Watkins Energy Manager, Vance Air Force Base VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- This October, the Air Force is observing Energy Awareness Month. The theme, "Power the Force, Fuel the Fight," encourages everyone to do more than just be "aware." All Team Vance members should take action. "The Air Force is making excellent progress toward satisfying federal energy mandates," said Rick Stacey, chief of the Air Force Facility Energy Center, a division of the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. "Some of the more prominent goals require us to reduce energy intensity 30 percent by 2015, reduce water intensity 26 percent by 2020 and increase renewable energy to 25 percent of all electricity use by 2025," Stacey said. "But as time goes by, the goals are getting tougher. We need everyone doing all they can do to help the Air Force continue our energy program successes." Since 2003, the Air Force has reduced energy use nearly 15 percent, water consumption 11 percent, and more than 6 percent of all electricity is obtained from renewable sources. The Air Force energy strategy for meeting these goals is to reduce demand, increase supply, and change the culture. Vance Air Force Base is ahead of the curve by reducing energy intensity by 21.5 percent from the 2003 baseline. Water reduction is at minus 4.8 percent from 2007 and the base receives 50 percent of its electricity from renewable, hydro-electric generation. The Air Force uses facility energy audits, utility meters, energy recommissionings and a variety of other tools to pursue aggressive reduction targets. At Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., audits led to an upgraded energy management control system that is expected to save $3.7 million over the lifetime of the system. Newly installed meters at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., allowed for better resource management and generated $2 million of new revenue through more accurate billing of non-Department of Defense tenants. Air Combat Command's facility recommissioning, or building "tune-up," program incurred enough energy savings to cut $433,000 from utility bills in 2010. At Vance, energy audits have resulted in two new projects which will install energy efficient interior lighting and occupancy sensors and another project which will upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to more efficient standards. The lighting project is estimated to save Vance $35,500 annually, while the HVAC upgrades are expected to save $43,344 each year. The Air Force leads the Department of Defense as the number one producer and user of renewable energy. More than six percent of electric supplies come from on-base renewable energy projects including wind, solar, geothermal and landfill gas. "We are evaluating ways to expand our portfolio to include waste-to-energy and biomass projects as we work toward producing 25 percent renewable energy by 2025," said Ken Gray, AFFEC Rates and Renewable Branch chief. Two new wind turbines will come online this fall at the Massachusetts Military Reservation at Cape Cod, Mass. Construction will begin soon on a 14-megawatt solar array at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz. The Air Force's ability to change its energy culture and develop a new mindset depends on individual members. "Each individual can and must contribute," said Stacey. "No matter how small or how large the action, people will ultimately make the difference. "Take a moment to turn off lights and appliances when not in use," said Stacey. "Make saving energy and water a habit every day and encourage your family, friends and co-workers to do their part too." Follow the acronym ACTION during Energy Awareness Month -- Appliance reduction, Computer log off, Temperature set points, Inform facility managers, Outdoor conservation and No waste. These are easy steps that can yield positive results for the community and the Air Force. Appliance reduction - Look around the workspace. How many personal appliances can be removed or consolidated in common areas like the break room? Reducing energy usage by reducing the number of appliances and machines can yield significant energy savings. For example, in an evaluation of just two buildings at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, the base energy manager found 810 appliances that could be unplugged or eliminated. The list included radios, fans, refrigerators, coffee makers, microwaves and toasters. Computer log off - Don't turn off computers, but always log-off at the end of the day. This ensures that computers will enter energy-saving sleep mode. The Air Force Information Technology Power Management Team estimates this action alone can save more than $10 million a year. Temperature control - Climate control set points can have a major impact on energy use. Most bases use settings of 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. Be familiar with local temperature set point policy. Heating and cooling systems are not perfect, so workspaces may not be at optimum comfort temperatures. If a building is too cool in the summer or too hot in the winter, the thermostat could be set incorrectly, which means the Air Force is wasting energy. Inform your facility manager - Report incorrect temperature set points, leaky faucets, blocked air vents, cracked windows and other problems to the facility manager or civil engineering customer service. Outdoor conservation - Broken sprinkler heads wasting water or area lights left on in a parking lot during the day should be reported to the local civil engineer customer service. That number at Vance is 213-7555. No waste - Don't turn a blind eye to problems. If something is on that doesn't need to be on, turn it off. Report problems. Review daily routines to conserve energy and water. Empower others to take action. Every dollar saved on energy is a dollar that can be spent on the nation's Airmen, their readiness and the mission -- Fly, Fight, Win!