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November 2, 2009
Mayport Energy Project to Save $100,000 Annually
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) – Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a Utility Energy Services Contract (UESC) for work to be done at Naval Station (NS) Mayport that will provide an annual energy cost savings of $100,000.
“This project is just one example of several energy conservation initiatives that we are currently working on,” said Capt. Aaron Bowman, NS Mayport commanding officer. “We look forward to finding ways of reducing operating costs while continuing to pursue energy reduction policy initiatives. ”
The project, valued at $904,000, was awarded to Peoples Gas of Tampa, Fla. and will be developed by Energy Systems Group (ESG). ESG will implement a number of energy conservation measures to reduce electrical energy usage. These measures include lighting retrofits at the wastewater treatment plant; water plant variable frequency drives and new motors for pumps; and wastewater plant positive displacement blowers and automated aeration controls.
Many of the existing lighting fixtures utilize less efficient technologies. Retrofitting these fixtures with compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs as well as T8s lamps and new ballasts will increase lighting efficiency, reduce energy consumption and provide improved working conditions for system operators.
Operational efficiencies will be obtained at the Water Treatment Plant by installing variable frequency drives (VFD) and new motors for the existing pumps. The existing configuration of the pumps are either “on” or “off,” which require approximately five to seven times the normal current as the motor gains rotational speed. This configuration creates excessive electrical demand and motor-winding heating. VFDs permit the pumps to operate at slower speeds. Since slower speeds equate to lower capacities, the pumps can be adjusted to maintain a more consistent distribution pressure.
Operators of the wastewater treatment plant currently use manual methods to control the level of dissolved oxygen (DO) in the aeration tanks. This method of operation is labor intensive and much less responsive to changing conditions in the treatment process. Installation of a more efficient VFD-controlled blower and motor, and automating the DO controls, will enable the operators to maintain DO concentration levels within tighter control limits and thus improve plant efficiency and effluent quality.
“This project is just one more example of the leadership, dedication and hard work involved to implement our regional commander's energy conservation priorities and national energy policy reduction goals,” said Ralph Crist, Public Works Department Mayport Utilities and Energy supervisor.
Upon construction completion, the Navy will see a reduction of over 3,700 million BTUs and will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating 16.4 pounds of methane, 790 tons of carbon dioxide and 2,800 pounds of nitrogen oxides per year.
The expected completion date for all work on this contract is January 2010.
Energy Systems Group (ESG) is an award-winning energy services company that specializes in delivering sustainable energy solutions which allow building owners to maximize their energy efficiency and operational performance, while reducing their carbon footprint. Through its core business of performance contracting, ESG provides customers with innovative energy efficiency, technology, and long-term financing solutions for modernization of their facilities and energy infrastructure. To learn more about ESG, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Meram El Ramahi, manager, marketing communications
Energy Systems Group
812-492-3734, melramahi@energysystemsgroup.com