NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba -- Last year, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced five energy targets that would help to ensure at least 40 percent of the Navy's total energy consumption comes from alternative sources.
One of those targets is to produce at least half the shore-based energy requirements from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and ocean generated by the naval installations by 2015.
When it comes to producing the base’s electricity, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay Cuba is self-sufficient because the United States has no diplomatic relationship with the Cuban government.
Most of GTMO’s electricity is produced by conventional diesel generators; however, solar technology is used to power various systems around the base.
“Currently we use solar power for security lighting at the Expeditionary Legal Complex, the base-wide public announcement system and the cathode protection for the cross bay fuel and water lines, “ said Tim Wagoner, the GTMO Resource Efficiency Manager. “There is also a solar hot water system on the enlisted barracks for the U.S. Naval Hospital.”
The advantage of using solar energy is reduced pollution.
“Since sunlight is your fuel source, the only time you run out is if the sun isn’t shining, which at GTMO isn’t very often,” said Wagner.
The base has seen monetary and electrical grid benefit from the use of solar technology.
“Currently the base saves approximately 200,000 kwh of electricity through the use of solar power,” said Wagoner,” this saves $61,290 and 15,385 gal diesel fuel.”
There are two types of solar power technology currently used at GTMO. One type uses the suns radiation to heat a liquid.
“The collectors concentrate the sun's radiation using mirrors or other shinny material to focus the radiation on pipe,” said Wagoner. “As the pipe heats up, the system begins to produce steam or hot water. The hot water is stored in insulated tank so that ‘it’ is available at night.”
The second type of solar technology is the use of silicon-based photovoltaic cells that converts the sun’s radiation into electricity.
“Sunlight is converted into electricity using photovoltaics,” said Wagoner. “This is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into direct current electricity, or indirectly with concentrating solar power, which normally focuses the sun's energy to boil water which is then used to provide power.”
In an effort to extract more savings using solar power, the Naval Station is trying to procure larger solar array.
“We are trying to get a 1 megawatt solar array on the Leeward side of the base,” said Wagoner. “The Leeward side of the base only has a 1 megawatt demand so at peak production that side of the base will be totally running on solar power.”
In addition, solar hot water systems are being planned for all barracks buildings, according to Wagoner.
“I would like to see at least 4 megawatts of solar arrays on the base to supplement our diesel power plant and solar roof panels to supplement individual buildings power consumption,” said Wagoner,” Also there would be solar hot water at residential units.”
| Date Taken: | 07.28.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.28.2010 10:43 |
| Story ID: | 53538 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 314 |
| Downloads: | 191 |
This work, GTMO’s Solar Power, Present and Future, by Bill Mesta, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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