Fourteen Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards Presented

By Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Energy and Sustainability)October 11, 2018

The 2018 Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awardees
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CLEVELAND, OHIO -- Fourteen Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards were presented to the awardees in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards Program was established in 1979 to recognize installations, small groups, and individuals who make significant achievements in energy conservation and water management in support of Army readiness. Energy managers help ensure optimization of resources and manage the development of secure and resilient energy and water projects to protect against vulnerabilities and enhance readiness of the U.S. Army's of multi-domain combat power.

Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, Mr. Jordan Gillis and the Director of Operations for the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, Brig. Gen. Joy L. Curriera presented the awards on behalf of the Secretary of the Army.

"The accomplishments of this year's awardees are truly impressive. Across the Federal government, you are helping to lead the way in advancing energy efficiency, deploying renewable and alternative energy, improving water management and utility infrastructure, and reducing costs," Mr. Gillis told the recipients and the approximately 150 attendees.

This program encourages stewardship of energy and water resources, promotes innovative and effective program management, and reinforces the importance of sound investments in energy and water facilities and infrastructure to improve mission readiness. It recognizes significant achievements in advancing the Army's energy and water program strategic goals, improving energy security and sustainability on Army installations.

Energy managers are responsible for evaluating installation energy and water resilience and security posture based on four key attributes: Assured Access, Infrastructure Condition, System Operation, and Critical Mission Sustainment. These evaluations help the Army identify gaps in energy security and prioritize mission critical projects such as onsite generation, energy storage, and energy controls. Evaluations can include water and land resource consumption and security assessments, collecting and analyzing large amounts of data, and risk and investment value analysis.

The Army has significantly reduced facility energy and water consumption, improved energy security, and increased the capacity of renewable energy produced on Army installations largely because of the initiative, innovation, and commitment of the award winners.

"So I honor all the Award winners this evening, for their outstanding contributions to energy and water resilience. From energy efficiency, water conservation, and vehicle fleet management, to the use of advanced and renewable energy technologies and the sustainable design of facilities and campuses -- you are doing the hard work that needs to be done -- not only to make our federal agencies efficient and responsible stewards of our nation's energy and water resources, but to make our country more safe and secure," Mr. Gillis said.

The awards recognize efforts in six award categories, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Renewable Energy, Innovation and New Technology, Energy Program Effectiveness, and Individual Exceptional Performance.

The awardees are:

For Energy Conservation:

Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Mr. Matt Gibbs and Mr. Curtis Helton

Annual Cost Avoidance: $3,000,000 Energy Saved: 152,336 MBTU per year.

The energy team at Fort Jackson reduced energy intensity by 17.8 percent in fiscal year 2017 as a result of leveraging a $35.2 million, light comprehensive Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). This ESPC installed high-efficiency lamps and ballasts, light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), and occupancy sensors/controls in 196 buildings. The ESPC replaced exterior High Intensity Discharge (HID) lighting with LEDs as well. This project also replaced older less efficient plumbing fixtures with new low flow fixtures including commodes, shower heads, and faucet aerators. The ESPC instituted new saving strategies on the Energy Management Control System including night setback, supply air temperature reset, and demand control ventilation. Conservation work performed on the Central Energy Plants (CEPs) included a chilled water storage tank for electric-peak shaving, insulating bare hot water surfaces, and optimizing chilled water pumping.

U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey, Calif.

Mr. Jay Tulley, Mr. Alexander Zhivov (USACE-CERL), Mr. Drew Rapp, and Mr. Brian Clark (USACE-CERL)

Annual Cost Avoidance: $114,998 Energy Saved: 4,630 MBTU per year.

Presidio of Monterey Public Works Energy Team, with technical assistance from USACE-CERL, developed an innovative approach to a "Deep Energy Retrofit" project renovating Smith Hall, a 1960's era barracks. The first step was to benchmark existing energy U.S. Army Garrison e of the facility and to perform energy modeling of the building with various construction methodologies. Preliminary energy modeling, with multiple construction scenarios, helped set an ambitious goal of 86 percent energy savings using a combination of high performance envelope requirements, super-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, and solar hot-water generation sized for 70 percent of the domestic load.

Corpus Christi, Texas

Mr. Shawn Smith, Mr. Victor Lopez, Mr. Scott Bryant, Mr. Roger Ceballos, and Mr. Mark Krog

Annual Cost Avoidance: $1,810,719 Energy Saved: 51,282 MBTU per year.

Corpus Christi Army Depot is the Army's sole aviation depot and the premier rotary wing repair facility in the world supporting the Department of Defense to return rotary wing aircraft and components to the DoD and other government organizations. Corpus Christi developed an energy project using an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) which reduces energy consumption and increases production. The savings realized by Corpus Christi are a 40 percent reduction in electricity use and a 49 percent reduction in water use of the affected equipment. Overall, Corpus Christi is seeing an 18.1 percent reduction versus the FY16 base-wide electric energy consumption. More than $380K in Energy Reliability Council of Texas/American Electric Power rebates have been secured and an additional $300K in rebates are being pursued. Specific Energy Conservation Measures that improved energy and/or water security and mission assurance include: chiller plant improvements, utility monitoring control system modifications, lighting improvements, water conservation measures, new transformers for the utility distribution systems, and HVAC retro-commissioning.

For Water Conservation:

Tobyhanna, Penn.

Commander Nathan Swartz, Mr. Herbert Shirey, Mr. Mark Horn, Ms. Paula Mesaris, and Mr. Thomas Wildoner Annual Cost Avoidance: $475,564 Water Saved: 45.9 MGal per year.

Tobyhanna Army Depot is the largest, full-service electronics maintenance facility in the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna Energy Team volunteered for the Army Net Zero Water Pilot Program in FY11 with a goal of achieving a 50 percent water reduction by FY20, using baseline FY07. This goal was attained in fiscal year 2017; three years ahead of schedule. A robust data collection and monitoring system helped achieve this goal as well as investments in water saving technologies. Water U.S. Army Garrison e was reduced from 87.9 million gallons FY07 to 42.0 million gallons in fiscal year 2017; a 52 percent water reduction. Tobyhanna chose a sustainable approach to reductions by developing projects such as acoustic leak sensors technology, water leak surveys, water meter installs, rain water collection, wastewater reuse, water leak correlator equipment, water pressure monitoring, water valve monitoring, conversion of water cooled motors to air cooled, low flow flush meter installs, water saving awards program, and employee involvement.

For Innovation and New Technology:

Tobyhanna, PA. -- Commander Nathan Swartz, Mr. Herbert Shirey, Mr. Mark Horn, Ms. Paula Mesaris, and Mr. David Ruskey

Annual Cost Avoidance: $503,061 Energy Saved: 32,363 MBTU per year.

Tobyhanna Army Depot project utilized innovative sensor and meter technology, and automated process control improvements on many high energy process systems to reduce energy and save cost. The project consists of automated controls embedded within the Programmable Logic Controls. The installation plans on expanding this effort to include large centralized compressors. Tobyhanna is willing to share best practices with other sites who have the potential to implement similar projects.

Fort Irwin, CA -- Commander Seth Krummrich, Mr. Jon Green, Ms. Antonia Ortiz, Mr. Muhammad Bari, and Mr. Christopher Woodruff

Water Saved: 19.7 MGal per year Annual On-site Energy Generation: 32,758 MBTU per year.

After 20 years of effort and development Fort Irwin and the National Training Center, received a new water treatment plant, Irwin Water Works, on 15 November 2016. Irwin Water Works is a $101 million military construction water plant that produces up to 6.0 million gallons per day of high quality water while producing less waste water than Fort Irwin's old reverse osmosis plant that could only treat a maximum of 150,000 gallons per day. Irwin Water Works replacement of the reverse osmosis plant reduced annual fresh water U.S. Army Garrison e in fiscal year 2017 by 19.7 million gallons and waste water treatment by 27.1 million gallons. The plant accomplishes this by using a unique combination of water treatment and recovery technologies. As a result, this system produces purified water for Fort Irwin and the National Training Center Solders, Family members, and civilians.

For Energy and Water Program Effectiveness

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Huachuca, AZ -- Mr. Jack Porter Jr., Mr. Dave Beaver, and Mr. Tim Zimmerman

Water Saved: 103.9 MGal per year Energy Reduction FY03-fiscal year 2017: 25.57 percent MBTU/KSF.

Fort Huachuca is at the forefront of energy security and resiliency. The Fort Huachuca energy and water conservation program has resulted in reduction of energy and water demand for the installation and an environment conducive to achieving the goal of security and resiliency. An integral part of the program is educating local citizens both on and around Fort Huachuca. This education transforms the culture of the community to consciously contribute to the reduction of energy and water demand. Fort Huachuca's program has effectively developed an Energy and Water Security and Resiliency Strategy that expects to exceed SECARMY Directive 2017-07 within five years. Fort Huachuca with assistance from ASA-IE&E and Concurrent Technologies Corporation completed an Energy Security Assessment in 2015 that resulted in securing a design for a Mission Critical Microgrid. Fort Huachuca also contracted with USACE-Huntsville to execute an ESPC to construct and implement a Combined Heat and Power plant. The CHP will generate a peak of 4 Mega Watts and be black start capable. This project took two years to complete and culminated in a task order award in February 2018.

Kansas Army National Guard, KS -- Ms. Sarah Karlin and Ms. Christa Bullock

Annual Cost Avoidance: $335,000 Energy Saved: 101,734 MBTU per year.

Kansas Army National Guard achieved great strides in energy and water reduction to include cost. Kansas in fiscal year 2017 installed a cooling tower at Salina Nickell Hall, Kansas' most energy intensive lodging facility which reduced its annual kWh U.S. Army Garrison e by 40 percent and cost by 37 percent. Kansas also reduced its peak demand by 35 percent and demand cost by 25 percent for an overall cost savings of $45K. In fiscal year 2017 this facility was awarded ERCIP FY18 funding to construct a 400 kW Photovoltaic Solar Carport Array and a 500 kW generator, and nine (9) other facilities will receive new water-efficient fixtures. This will be the first solar electric renewable for Kansas Army National Guard. Water conservation measures were also implemented by ceasing all lawn irrigation practices and replacing the water-intensive grass with Xeriscaping which saved 2,215,500 gallons of water at $20,586.99 cost savings in the first year of implementation. Vast reduction in required energy and water consumption increased Kansas Army National Guard's energy/water efficiencies and provides better security and mission readiness.

For Individual Exceptional Performance:

Fort Drum, NY -- Mr. Stephen Rowley

Annual Cost Avoidance: N/A Energy Saved: 114,520 MBTU per year.

Stephen Rowley takes pride in serving as Fort Drum's Energy Manager from 1986 to present. During his 32 year tenure he has witnessed the expansion of Fort Drum from a seasonal training Post to a modern day Army base demonstrating leadership and commitment working towards energy and water efficiency, to include energy conservation and renewable projects, energy awareness, and support of Army research. Because of his efforts Fort Drum has seen 17.26 percent energy use reduction in fiscal year 2017 from FY15 baseline. He has been able to secure funding to implement projects such as a $11.6 million fuel oil to natural gas conversion program; $16 million High Temperature Hot Water System to Natural Gas Conversion Project; $14.3 million ESPC Project; Solar Walls installed in 53 buildings; and a $5.3 million Utility Monitoring and Control System. Mr. Rowley's enthusiasm and passion for energy conservation combined with tangible results are a testimony of excellence for the Army.

U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands -- Mr. Derek Miller

Annual Cost Avoidance: $2,223,583 Energy Saved: 30,962 MBTU per year.

Mr. Derek Miller is someone of great courage because he is an Environmental Engineer who volunteered to be Kwajalein's Energy Manager in March 2015. Mr. Miller's major accomplishment was the establishment of an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with support and guidance from IMCOM and ACSIM. Mr. Miller's work resulted in an estimated ~$265.2M ESPC multi-phase project award to Johnson Controls in June 2016 which will be fully implemented over a 5-year period. The project includes energy/water conservation measures such as Central Chiller Plants and Distribution Systems; Sea Water Air-Conditioning; Building Automation Systems; HVAC Upgrades and Conversions; Window Package-Unit Air Conditioner Upgrades; Energy Efficient Lighting; Building Envelope Improvements; Residential Heat Pump Water Heaters; Renewable Energy Solutions including using Microgrids and Energy Storage; Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water Heaters; and Potable Water Conservation. Once all ESPC phases are complete, the project is expected to produce energy savings of at least 50 percent from the FY14-FY16 baseline and reduce water consumption by 10 million gallons annually.

Fort Hunter Liggett, CA -- Mr. Greg Vallery

Annual Cost Avoidance: $1,000,0000 Energy Saved: 2,000 MBTU per year Annual Water Savings: 10 MGal per year.

Mr. Greg Vallery has been moving the US Army toward energy and water security for the past 16 years. With his technical expertise, dedication and commitment to mission resilience, Mr. Vallery engages across all channels to connect resources and opportunities. Mr. Vallery became the Director of Public Works at Fort Hunter Liggett in 2014, taking on the responsibility and opportunity to implement the Net Zero Energy and Waste goals. Mr. Vallery guided Fort Hunter Liggett in achieving a 30 percent energy intensity reduction from FY03 -- FY15 (19 percent reduced between FY11 and FY15), and a 57 percent water reduction in facility potable water use intensity from FY07 - FY15. Mr. Vallery has been instrumental in establishing Fort Hunter Liggett as one of the Army's first Net Zero sites, working toward a multi-phase 8 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) and microgrid systems. Mr. Vallery has been placing a heavy emphasis on electricity in order to improve the security and reliability of energy and water sources. His work provides dependable utility service and enhances the resilience of facilities, while increasing renewable and alternate energy resources to meet energy requirements.

For On-Site Generation:

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood, TX -- Mr. Bobby Lynn, Mr. Ryan Hernandez, Mr. Adam Alexander, Ms. Charlotte Baldwin, Mr. Justin Petree, Ms. Krista Stehn (ASA-IEE), Mr. Jonathan Currie (ASA-IEE), and Andrea Kincaid (DLA-Energy)

Annual Cost Avoidance: $2,500,000 Annual On-Site Energy Generation: 141,494,448 MBTU per year.

Fort Hood in collaboration with the U.S. Army Office of Energy Initiatives, Defense Logistics Agency-Energy, and APEX Clean Energy Holdings, LLC after 4 years of preparations using a 30-year Power Purchase Agreement constructed the largest renewable energy project in the Army (fully operational and producing electricity for Fort Hood). This is the Army's first hybrid project combining solar and wind energy generation. APEX Clean Energy owns and operates renewable generation and sells electricity to Fort Hood. The project was installed at no upfront cost to the Army. The onsite 15 MW solar energy generation system consists of over 63,000 solar panels covering 132 acres. The solar system became operational on 27 April 2017. The offsite 50 MW wind energy generation consists of twenty-one (21) 2.4 MW wind turbines that became operational on 28 February 2017. The period of performance for the PPA is 1 January 2017 thru 31 October 2031.

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ -- LTC Jeffrey Ivey, Mr. Ted Gabel, Mr. Lawrence Brady, Ms. Stephanie McNaboe, and Ms. Helene Ferm

Annual Cost Avoidance: $60,000 Annual On-Site Energy Generation: 736,000 MBTU per year.

Picatinny Arsenal in collaboration with third-party contractors installed a 620 kilowatt solar array constructed on a remediation site covering seven acres of land at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey. The project sets an example of pairing renewable energy with environmental remediation. There is allowance in the design and space for expansion up to 1,000 kilowatts. This project also included wetland enhancement on twelve adjacent acres of land. The solar panels are installed in a ground mount system with concrete ballasts that do not penetrate below grade. The system installation was completed in June 2017 when the Interconnection Agreement was finalized.

Tooele Army Depot, UT -- Mr. Richard Stephens, Mr. Brandon Watson, and Mr. Casey Anderson

Annual Cost Avoidance: $458,058 Annual On-Site Energy Generation: 16,016 MBTU per year.

Tooele Army Depot developed a renewable energy project that constructed a 1.7 megawatt, 3-blade, horizontal-axis, 80 meter, commercial onshore power Wind Turbine Generator. The output is 1,715 kW at 60 Hz. The turbine is part of Tooele's real property and metering was installed on the wind turbine as part of the project. This project was funded in FY13 by the Energy Resilience & Conservation Investment Program and construction completed in late FY16. Because of this project Tooele's energy security has been improved by providing a backup electrical power source in the event of a power grid shutdown. The future plan is to connect this wind turbine to Tooele's Microgrid and it will be utilized to supply power to the Depot during a commercial utility power outage and this provides energy resiliency to Tooele.

Among the many awarded categories and winners, the Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards Program recognizes installations, small groups, and individuals who advance energy conservation and water management goals and efforts in support of Army readiness to improve energy security and sustainability at Army installations. Energy managers are essential to the mission and responsible for evaluating and identifying energy security gaps to prioritize mission critical projects. The Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Awards Program honors energy managers for their contribution and continued support to the Army mission.

Related Links:

Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management

Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment)

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Energy and Sustainability