Blount Island to Save $500,000 Annually in Energy Costs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island May 16 to officially celebrate the completion of its first Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESC) project saving approximately $500,000 annually in energy costs at the Marine Corps installation.
UESC projects are viable as they reach out to utility providers to supply financing for the projects and special incentives (e.g. rebates, cover design costs, or energy audits) to the government and help the Navy and Marine Corps meet energy goals set by the secretary of the Navy and the President.
"We see the value added by these projects as they help the installation save energy and are excited about the growing use of renewable technologies," said Lt. Col. Richard Steele, commanding officer Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island.
"Initial calculations estimated that Blount Island Command will realize approximately $500,000 savings annually and reduce energy consumption by 17,000 MMBTU annually," said Tommy Sailors, facility manager, Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island.
The $5 million UESC project will reduce electrical energy usage by providing lighting conservation measures, replacing Air Handling Units (AHUs), installing ultra violet (UV) lights in HVAC units, HVAC component upgrades, compressed air system repairs, cubicle occupancy motion sensors, warehouse insulation upgrades, and renewable technologies (solar hot water, photovoltaic (PV) and geothermal systems) throughout 18 facilities.
It also includes the installation of 45 advanced meter reading meters, which will allow the government to more accurately track and manage facility electrical consumption, prioritize maintenance requirements and energy saving projects.
Included was replacement of thousands of T8 32W and T5 54W lamps with modern T8 28W to T5 51W, respectively, and 88 metal halide lamps with induction lamps. The new lamps were configured with motion occupancy sensors which aid in energy conservation.
"The UV lights on the AHUs kill bacteria on the exterior of the coiling coils which provides better heat transfer over the life of the system, reduces maintenance cost, and extends the life of the system," said Peter Wilk, project manager, Energy Systems Group.
HVAC component upgrades included the replacement of old HVAC units with newer more efficient units, along with motor upgrades to HVAC AHU and chill water pumps on building 450. The geothermal systems will pump water through a piping network that utilize cooler temperatures from the aquifer replacing the standard chiller units.
After the ceremony, everyone in attendance toured the new solar thermal and PV systems atop the headquarters building.
For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, www.twitter.com/usnavy, or www.energysystemsgroup.com
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