HONOLULU -- Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC) receives a $270,000 incentive from Hawaii Energy, the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program, for the installation of energy-saving chillers during a check presentation at the TAMC Commander's Lanai, Oct. 9, 2014.
The incentive helps offset the cost to upgrade the hospital's central plant with two chillers and a comprehensive new electronic control system.
The upgraded central plant, which provides chilled water to cool the hospital, is expected to reduce energy usage by an estimated 616,140 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year -- the equivalent to saving about $150,000 in energy costs based on $0.2434/kWh.
Col. David Dunning, Commander of TAMC, accepted the recognition on behalf of the hospital.
"As the largest military medical facility in the Pacific, it is important that we are good stewards of the energy resources within our local community. This conservation effort lessens fossil fuels and correspondingly lowers greenhouse gas emissions, making TAMC a clean energy ally to the State of Hawaii," said Dunning.
The new plant will also operate more reliably for the hospital. TAMC's Facility Management staff worked with technology experts at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Huntsville Center (CEHNC) in Alabama to identify project partners, including Johnson Controls, leading similar energy and technology updates for other federal agencies.
Prior to the upgrade, the central plant was running on two different systems with some of the functions controlled manually by TAMC plant operators. The updated chillers will be managed by a DDC (Direct Digital Controls) electronic control system to give plant operators a real-time look at the plant's performance to make operation easier and more effective.
"We proudly salute the United States Army for its commitment to a cleaner energy future by adopting energy conservation and efficiency measures at the hospital," said Lily Koo, Business Program Specialist, Hawaii Energy. "We look forward to collaborating with Tripler Army Medical Center on future energy-saving projects."
About Tripler
Tripler's mission is to provide patient centered, outcomes based health care and to drive the transformation to a System for Health for beneficiaries in the Pacific Region.
In addition, TAMC educates, trains and provides a ready medical force to enhance health and save lives.
TAMC's vision is to serve as the oasis of health and wellness for America's heroes and families in the Pacific Region.
For more information about TAMC, please visit our website at http://www.tamc.amedd.army.mil/ or https://www.facebook.com/TriplerArmyMedicalCenter.
About Hawaii Energy
Hawaii Energy is the ratepayer-funded energy conservation and efficiency program administered by Leidos Engineering, LLC under contract with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, serving the islands of Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu.
Hawaii Energy offers cash rebates and other incentives to residents and businesses to help offset the cost of installing energy-efficient equipment.
In addition to rebates, the program conducts education and training for residents, businesses and trade allies to encourage the adoption of energy conservation behaviors and efficiency measures.
The program plays an important role in helping to achieve Hawaii's goal of reducing total electric energy usage by 30 percent or 4.3 billion kWh by 2030. For more information, visit www.HawaiiEnergy.com.
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