ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- October marks Energy Awareness Month, and the nation looks to the federal government to provide leadership in energy management and building optimization, energy resilience and security, and the use of advanced and distributed energy technologies.

The Federal Energy Management Program helps agencies meet federal energy efficiency and renewable energy laws and requirements. Agencies are making tremendous progress toward these requirements by implementing energy- and water-management projects throughout the federal government.

Whether these projects are implemented campus-wide or in individual facilities, every action taken by hard-working employees in U.S. defense and civilian agencies contributes toward strengthening the security and resilience of our federal infrastructure.

ENERGY AWARENESS AT ANAD

At Anniston Army Depot, energy efficient programs have been implemented in nearly every building on the installation, as well as many roadways.

The projects which have been completed over the last several years not only provide energy savings, but have the potential to provide energy security.

"The Department of Energy wants us to be aware of the energy security of the nation and the energy consumption of the nation," said Brian Freeman, a mechanical engineer for ANAD. "This encompasses what happens at your work place as well as at your home."

Have you noticed the bright street lights which illuminate the way as you enter the installation? They use energy-efficient light-emitting diode, or LED, bulbs.

Do you work in an area where lights come on automatically as you enter? Motion-sensitive lighting projects have been completed in many office areas to increase lighting efficiency and reduce energy costs.

The lighting projects and new, energy-efficient equipment at the Main Boiler Plant were among the 14 energy saving measures conducted as part of a Utility Energy Services Contract in 2018.

"The theoretical return on those projects is about $2 million in avoided cost," said Freeman.

Have you seen the solar panels along Roosevelt Drive? Constructed in an arrangement with Alabama Power Company, they produce 7.4 megawatts of power, which ANAD is able to purchase at a reduced rate.

"We are able to purchase the renewable energy produced at the same rate we normally pay," said Freeman. "If you were to purchase renewable energy, it would cost about $0.22 per kilowatt hour. We buy it at $0.06 per kwh."

ANAD and Fort Rucker, Ala., were the first two Army sites to complete such a project.

In fiscal year 2019, ANAD spent approximately $8 million in electricity and $2.7 million in natural gas, according to Freeman.

"We've been fairly steady in our energy consumption," said Freeman, adding the depot has completed enough projects since 2003 to offset or avoid a cost of about $7 million.

"If we had not done those projects, our cost of $8 million could have easily been $15 million," he said.

Freeman added that, though the projects help the depot with energy efficiency, there is still more to be done.

Closing doors of buildings which are temperature controlled, reporting water leaks and turning off machinery when it shouldn't be running are just a few of the tips he shared with the workforce.

"Treat the depot like you would your home," Freeman said.