YOKOSUKA – Do you turn off the lights, or set them to automatic before leaving a room? What default temperature do you have your thermostat set to in your home or office? Do you power down your computer at the end of the day?
October is National Energy Awareness Month. During this month, commands reflect on the significant role energy conservation plays in the Navy’s overall operations.
The Navy was the first service to meet the Office of the Secretary of Defense 2021 Installation Energy Plan (IEP) completion deadline, finishing all 72 IEPs ahead of schedule and approximately a year in advance.
Across Commander, Navy Region Japan (CNRJ), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Far East works closely with installations to develop a strategy. This year’s theme of “Efficiency, Resiliency, and Reliability” calls for everyone to take action to optimize the benefits of energy conservation.
“Teams work meticulously to modernize infrastructure on each installation in order to maintain mission readiness,” said Knud Hermansen, a contract manager at NAVFAC. “The current focus is resiliency by making sure we plan for any unexpected interruptions, which requires maximizing efficiency. It increases our reliability because backup sources, such as generators, are able to run longer. All three objectives are interconnected.”
Each installation has a public works department (PWD) headed by an installation manager (IM). Through utility management, commands are able to both optimize performance and achieve cost savings. The reduction of energy waste allows for funding once used for utilities to be reinvested into other mission-critical projects. Two projects included replacing original light fixtures with LED lights, and installing low-flow toilets to save water.
“Increasing the energy efficiency of existing facilities is the most effective way to reduce energy waste and protect critical assets,” said Lawrence Newman, the regional energy program manager for CNRJ. “We utilize a bundling approach where long-term goals are built into a series of small projects, resulting in successful energy conservation measures. This achieves a more usable, updated, and complete system.”
Warfighting capabilities and mission-readiness are interwoven into the fabric of resource management, budget and implementation of saving energy.
Newman said powering down computers, turning off unnecessary lights, or putting them on automatic may seem like very small things, but small efforts can have a significant impact on resiliency. The use of less energy means longer periods of sustained performance in the event a generator is needed.
“It is important people know we need community involvement,” said Newman. “Something as simple as closing a door tightly, or turning off a light when leaving a room saves energy. Contacting your building manager for small discrepancies also help in a major way.”
Data collected from tracking energy usage serves as a baseline for current and future plans. Current data allows for improved management time and resources.
“A combined approach to projects and planning allow for a greater chance to optimize efficiencies, and incrementally improve backup power options, therefore adding to resiliency,” said Hermansen. “I’m proud of the team’s accomplishments this past year and we will ensure the success of our initiative continues. Each of these initiatives enhances our ability to complete the mission overall.”
Although October is National Energy Awareness Month, saving energy is vital all year.
For more information regarding energy conservation and how to contribute, visit the NAVFAC website, www.navfac.navy.mil.
| Date Taken: | 10.14.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2021 03:44 |
| Story ID: | 407199 |
| Location: | KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 40 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Celebrating Energy Awareness, by PO2 Ashley Estrella, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT