$5.7 million boosts energy-saving efforts Published Sept. 23, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler has been selected to receive $5.7 million in Defense Department funds for six energy-saving projects, according to Marcella Whitfield, base resource energy manager. "This money will be used in 2010 for projects ranging from updating and installing more efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems to lighting retrofits," Ms. Whitfield said. "Keesler also received additional funds for advanced metering devices for gas and electric which allow energy managers to see how much energy is being consumed in each building, at what time, and then develop trends from this data," she continued. "This technology allows engineers to clearly see where energy is wasted and develop ways to lower energy consumption for that facility." Keesler was also chosen for two of the 14 energy-saving technology feasibility studies to be conducted across the Air Force through the Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program. "If the technology proposed in these studies is feasible for Keesler, projects can be developed that will literally pay for themselves after a number of years and eventually save the base money every year," Ms. Whitfield pointed out. The first study, to be conducted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory in 2010, looks at the financial and technological feasibility of using biomass and waste for energy generation on base. "In essence, this involves converting trash into energy," Ms. Whitfield remarked. Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from biological material and includes all land and water-based vegetation, such as trees, aquatic and marine plants, crops, organic components of municipal solid waste, and forestry, agricultural and industrial waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. The biological material can be converted into electrical energy, heat or steam. "Generating electricity on base would save the base money by reducing the need to purchase commercial power and allow Keesler to use power when commercial power is unavailable, which could happen with a natural disaster," she added. The second study will determine if the use of a ground source heat pump would be a feasible technology for heating and cooling in future dormitory construction projects. GSHP is a central heating and cooling system that pumps heat to and from the ground, using the earth as a heat source in the winter and a cooling source in the summer. Oak Ridge National Laboratory will look at the technology and its applicability to both south Mississippi area and the proposed construction scenario. "Using a GSHP in place of a regular HVAC system can potentially save lots of energy," Ms. Whitfield said. A plug load reduction program is in the works to encourage Team Keesler to increase its efforts to save energy during non-working hours. "We want to encourage people to save energy by turning off lights when spaces are not in use, enabling a power-save mode on office equipment during office hours and shutting equipment off, preferably by unplugging or using a power strip, during off hours," Ms. Whitfield stated. "These measures could save up to 25 percent of energy during non-business hours. "October is Energy Awareness Month, but these efforts show that Team Keesler is serious about saving energy all year round and in the years to come," she emphasized.