Technology could reduce energy costs

By Carlotta Maneice, AMRDEC Public AffairsAugust 31, 2015

Phase Change Material
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Aug. 31, 2015) -- In a budget constrained environment, government agencies must be conscientious about conserving electricity and reducing energy costs. The U.S. Army Material Command and the Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center recently partnered with two commercial companies on a heating pilot program that could decrease energy demands.

Phase Change Materials store and release energy which could lead to a reduction in the high cost of using heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment. In the summer, a 2,000 square foot home may run its AC during peak hours to reach and maintain a 70 degree temperature. As the temperature climbs above the threshold, the PCM wax melts and stores the heat. In the evening, as the home temperature decreases, the PCM material hardens and releases that stored heat back into the attic to be vented out.

"The AMRDEC Energy Lab has identified many applications to integrate this technology for operational energy uses and for existing aviation and missile systems and projects," said William Pannell, AMRDEC senior systems engineer. "This not a new concept, PCMs have been used for a variety of items from space launch vehicle electronics cooling, to keeping medicines at desired shipping temperature, to keeping fast food hot during delivery."

In addition to operational energy, PCMs provide potential solutions for facilities. Using two of AMC's warehouse facilities at Sierra Army Depot, in Herlong, Calif., PCM mats were installed between the insulation and interior in one of the two World War II buildings. During a six-month observation period, data showed a 33% reduction in natural gas consumption in April 2015 and a 56% reduction in May 2015.

"We wanted to integrate technology that will save energy in an extreme work environment," said Jennifer Morgan, AMC, Facilities Division and Energy and Utilities. "We want to do smart things that make sense for AMC and the Department of Defense."

On August 18, the Thermal Energy Storage Project at Sierra Army Depot results was revealed at the Energy Huntsville Meeting. Pilot testing in three classrooms at Blossomwood Elementary in Huntsville, Ala. also resulted in reduced total electricity costs.

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The Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.

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