Fairchild civilian saves base $7.9 million; earns national-level energy, water award

Courtesy Photo | Michael Miller, a 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron Energy Management Control Systems operator, evaluates one of three systems at Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., on Aug. 31. He was awarded the U.S. Federal Energy Management Program’s 2011 Federal Energy and Water Management Award for Exceptional Service Aug. 3. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Scott King)  

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WA, UNITED STATES

08.31.2011

Courtesy Story

Air Mobility Command

Story by: Scott King
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Michael Miller, an Energy Management Control Systems operator with the 92nd Civil Engineer Squadron, was awarded the U.S. Federal Energy Management Program's 2011 Federal Energy and Water Management Award for Exceptional Service Aug. 3.

Over the past 20 years, Miller has led and overseen the installation and operation of three Energy Management Control Systems. His projects will accrue total lifetime savings of 1,326,000 British Thermal Units, $7,900,000 in cost savings, and avoided emissions of 70,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

"He successfully shepherded the funding, design and execution of three system upgrades and expansion of the EMCS from 1980s legacy systems into the modern, Direct Digital Control "Alerton" system," said Jeff Cook-Coyle, 92nd CES resource efficiency manager. "He personally oversaw the collection of data points and sequences of operation from the legacy systems to ensure proper programming of the new DDC systems - bringing the system on-line and functioning properly."

Miller has also helped keep the air over Fairchild cleaner and greener.

Through the EMCS, the carbon avoidance attributable to Miller, represents 19 percent of greenhouse gas emission reductions achieved here since 2008.

"It's always nice to be recognized, particularly for something I've been working on for 20 years," Miller said. "I think the CE team is certainly a large part of the overall energy savings for the base. Not only do we save dollars, we also help the environment, which means a lot to me."

To say Miller has a far-reaching impact on Fairchild is an understatement. He and his team designed, installed, programmed, commissioned, and now operate the three EMCS systems on 103 buildings totaling 3,000,000 square feet [86 percent of the square feet on base]. These systems include 1,773 controllers with 14,100 data points and trend 4,700 parameters. He has also overseen the contracted installation of EMCS systems into seven other buildings.

"We've come a long way in energy conservation through the EMCS," Miller said. "We can look at the computerized system, identify the exact problem, dispatch a technician to fix it, then monitor the repair in real-time to ensure its functioning properly. This saves hours of troubleshooting for the techs which in turn is much more efficient and less costly."

Miller's efforts were also recognized at Air Mobility Command.

The 2010 AMC Inspector General Compliance Inspection Final Report stated that the EMCS system is a "strength" of the 92nd CES [which received an "excellent" rating]. Resources and programs are very efficiently managed and relatively free of deficiencies.

"I am very happy that Mike is receiving this recognition. His team's work affects everyone on Fairchild," Cook-Coyle said. "For 20 years, they have kept our buildings comfortable, overseen the bases water systems, kept the air cleaner all while keeping our energy bills under control and most importantly -- saving taxpayers millions."

• Date Taken: 08.31.2011
• Date Posted: 09.19.2011 10:54
• Story ID: 77247
• Location: FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, WA, US