Raising awareness, encouraging smart energy use

By Brian Freeman, DPWOctober 14, 2021

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Anniston, Ala. -- Every October, we recognize Energy Awareness Month to highlight the critical role energy plays in Army operation, and to encourage smart energy use and management at Anniston Army Depot. The nation is looking to the federal government to provide leadership in energy management and building optimization, energy resilience and security and the use of advanced energy technologies.

ANAD’s energy goals to reduce consumption and cost are:

1.  Reduce building energy intensity by 2.5% annually through the end of FY2025 relative to

FY 2015 baseline.

2.  At least 25 percent of total energy from clean energy sources

3.  At least 30 percent of electric energy from renewable energy sources

4.  Increase Energy Resilience according to Army Directive 2020-03

Currently, ANAD is on target to reduce our energy intensity and met the FY2025 goal relative to our 2015 usage, but we must be diligent as it will become more difficult to reach this goal.

To support Army Directive 2020-03, ANAD was awarded funding from the Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP) to build a 7.5 megawatt of electrical generation facility. Construction will begin in January of 2022. The project will include the Solar power from the Buffalo Solar field and will support about 50% of the buildings in the industrial area.

ANAD is working with the Office of Energy Initiative and the Corp of Engineers to develop a second phase to further support AD 2020-03. This project if approved will see construction in FY25. Other supporting resilience projects are in planning stages and will help ANAD move toward energy security and resilience in the future.

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

ANAD will see the cost for natural gas, gasoline, diesel, LP and electricity increase as we move into the winter months. Currently natural gas and LP are moving higher than the other commodities ahead of the heating season, and this will have an impact on ANAD and your wallet.

Plan ahead and make changes around your house by checking seals around doors, windows and refrigerator doors.  Check your dryer vent for lint build up. Water heating is the third largest expense in your home, typically accounting for about 12% of your utility bill. Typically, 43% of a home utility bill goes to heating and cooling. By combining proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings, you can cut your energy use for heating and cooling from 20% to 50%. If you have a fire place check the damper.

These are very easy changes, but if you want to go further you can add more insulation to your attic. Just check local standards for recommended thickness.