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Energy effort not just about conservation
Posted 11/12/2010
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by Senior Master Sgt. Glen Robinson
65th Air Base Wing
11/12/2010 - LAJES FIELD, Azores (AFNS) -- Members of the energy team here want the community to know that they are taking a multifaceted approach to energy that involves more than simple conservation efforts.
The base's energy initiatives are concentrated in three areas: renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy conservation.
"We are working all of these pieces together," said Lerena Duarte, the energy manager at Lajes Field. "The energy team has been working on numerous initiatives outside of the conservation realm to ensure that other facets of the energy battle are also being addressed. We have evolved into a lot more than energy conservation."
Energy team officials have formed a partnership with the local power company and their host-nation counterparts that will allow the base to explore the possibility of using existing and new renewable energy resources and technology to meet Lajes Field's energy demands, Ms. Duarte said.
"We believe Lajes has a good opportunity to convert energy derived from fossil fuel energy sources to locally derived renewable energy sources," she said. "We are partnering with the local power company to determine renewable energy options for Lajes Field, which will increase energy efficiency and reduce Lajes' environmental impact."
Officials are also conducting an analysis to determine what renewable energy sources would be feasible at Lajes Field, allowing the base to continue to support warfighters in a more environmentally friendly way.
One of the efforts the members of the energy team are presently working on is a basewide energy audit.
"Energy audits provide in-depth looks into energy usage in our facilities and processes," Ms. Duarte said. "Audits provide essential information on how to reduce Lajes (Field's) energy use and costs. Examples include flightline water and waste-water treatment plants, (Defense Commissary Agency, Department of Defense Dependents Schools), and cold storage facilities.
"The energy team will audit some of the wing's high-energy-use maintenance or industrial facilities," she said. "The audit will allow the wing to understand how they are consuming energy and help them look for opportunities to reduce consumption, lower costs and increase efficiency."
The results of the energy audits will be used to prioritize energy reduction efforts in fiscal 2012, helping Lajes Field meet its overall energy reduction goal.
"The whole base has embraced energy conservation," Ms. Duarte said.
Energy reduction is a cultural change which requires members at Lajes Field to take conservation steps within their control and to hold people accountable in order to achieve energy goals, she said.
"Ultimately, it is the people who make the difference with energy conservation," Ms. Duarte said. "With nearly 20 percent of energy consumption directly controlled by individuals, each of us are on the front line."
The members of the Lajes Field energy team said everyone can be energy conscious when departing the work center at the end of the day and on weekends and holidays.
The following are some energy-reduction tips to remember when leaving the work center:
-- Turn off lights
-- Turn off computer monitors, speakers, printers and shredders
-- Unplug electronic chargers when not in use
-- Turn off copiers and fax machines
-- Unplug coffee pots and microwaves
-- Unplug TV's and DVD's
-- Unplug plasma screens and radios
-- Close windows and doors
-- Turn off bathroom and conference room lights when exiting
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