Post highlights energy-saving projects throughout October

By Ms. Elyssa Vondra (Fort Jackson)October 12, 2018

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(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

October is annual Army Energy Action Month, and Fort Jackson is playing its part. The installation is raising awareness and tackling energy-saving projects.

Fort Jackson is tracking a 17.5 percent reduction in energy over the past year, said Matt Gibbs, energy manager -- a major step up from the national goal of five percent.

Everyone plays a role in energy use reduction.

Even turning off lights, installing LEDs and shutting doors and windows helps.

"It's really common sense stuff," Gibbs said. "We try to get the word out," especially this month.

A booth set up at the Main Exchange Oct. 4 highlighted the importance of simple conservation measures.

More than 100 visitors stopped by the booth. Free LED light bulbs were their reward, Gibbs said.

Spending more on energy reduces Army readiness. Gibbs said readiness is the main focus of the current Department of Defense administration.

Energy conservation is considered key to U.S. security interests.

It "saves the Army and DoD money" that can then be used to train troops, said Gregg Winegar,

chief of the Operations & Maintenance Division of the Directorate of Public Works.

"That (funding for energy) comes out of our ability to complete our mission," Gibbs said. It leaves less for buying arms and other military must-haves.

Fort Jackson is working to reduce energy consumption.

The installation is in the process of modifying the Energy Savings Performance Contract.

Some equipment -- such as boilers, chillers and outdated electronic systems at energy plants -- is being upgraded.

Older designs tend to waste energy, Winegar explained.

A number of facilities' lights -- both indoor and outdoor -- are being updated to LEDs "as we speak," he added.

LEDs are also being introduced to a number of training ranges. The Night Infiltration Course is one.

Exterior lighting controls are being implemented.

The intent is for a timer to prevent lights from being on excessively, reducing energy costs. Sensors will detect movement to determine when they're needed.

The goal is to get these controls installed throughout Fort Jackson's entire cantonment area.

Fort Jackson is in the process of installing outdoor, solar-powered LED lights on Semmes Road.

The LED lights will be fueled by solar panels on the uppermost part of light poles.

A 12-hour lithium battery will store energy during the day to be used at night.

The lights won't be connected to the grid, at least for the time being.

If the experiment is successful, the new arrangement will serve a number of purposes.

"We're killing three birds with one stone," Winegar said. The lighting will be off-grid, saving energy costs. It will also light the running path.

Beyond that, since LEDs have a typical lifespan of at least five years, less time and money are required for maintenance.

Fort Jackson has already had success in the realm of energy savings.

Gibbs and Curtis Helton, energy plant supervisor, were presented with the Secretary of the Army Energy Management award earlier this year.

The $35.2 million project they spearheaded included initiatives to introduce high efficiency lighting, LED installation, and occupancy sensors/controls in nearly 200 buildings.

The energy savings associated with these changes alone equated to $775,000 annually.

"There's still more to do," Winegar said.