E4 outbrief yields great ideas Published July 9, 2007 By Stephanie Bemrose The Bombardier BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Energy Efficiency Expert Evaluation team members provided their inputs regarding ways to conserve and create energy for current and future base structures to base leadership June 15. Barksdale's outlook is generally good and the message of energy conservation seems to be reaching people, said Lt. Col. Brian Weidmann, E4 Team coordinator. Barksdale's civil engineers have done a good job of operating and maintaining equipment, but there is always room for improvement, explained Col. Michael Rocchetti, E4 team member. Colonel Rocchetti said Barks-dale has good heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems but these could be improved using machines that are more-efficient or using one unit for multiple buildings. Other areas that could be improved include painted windows on maintenance hangars that would let in natural light if the paint was scraped off, Colonel Weidmann said. Lt. Col. Michael Addison, 2d Civil Engineer Squadron commander, responded that the windows may have been painted to reduce heat coming through them and this may have occurred before the buildings were lit. One alternative offered to this is solar-reflective film. Sensors could turn lights off when a building is bright enough due to the sun or when there are no occupants in a room. "The best part about turning the lights off when nobody is in a room is that there is no cost to these conservation methods," the colonel said humorously. Another example of potential improvement that the team found is at the bowling alley. Changing light fixtures from incandescent to compact fluorescent lamps could save $2,300 per year or even more if three-lamp fixtures are used in lieu of four-lamp fixtures. Items such as refrigerators in unit snack bars could offer reduced energy consumption by purchasing less energy-demanding furnishings. Barksdale plans to utilize either an Energy Savings Performance Contract or Utility Energy Service Contract to accomplish the lighting projects within the next year, said David Sanders, 2d Civil Engineer Squadron asset optimization program manager. The contractor pays for installing new energy-efficient equipment and the government repays the contractor over the life of the contract. As for metering, Colonel Weidmann said there are some really great efforts of these people to be highlighted, calling these "exceptional" and the most successful methods they have seen to measure consumption to date. Mr. Sanders said Barksdale is now working to meet other metering criteria set in April. "Meters will help Barksdale establish a base line for future energy usage analysis," Mr. Sanders explained. Colonel Weidmann said natural assets can be used to help the Air Force by using wind and sun along with oil that is already found on base. Putting in a distribution plant for oil could offer Barksdale energy use at lower rates than commercial rates, Colonel Weidmann said. "Everyone seems to think there is some opportunity in this area - this is kind of exciting to save as much as $500,000 per year," the colonel explained. Behavioral changes are also necessary for reducing the base's consumption. Current Barksdale culture-changing endeavors include energy awareness outreach. "The energy awareness program will help base organizations achieve energy efficiency goals without impacting mission or quality of life," Mr. Sanders explained. "We are encouraging commanders to discuss energy conservation at commander calls, we have a monthly energy conservation tip in the paper and we are developing a wing commander's policy letter. Other awareness initiatives include poster and message boards." A Department of Energy formal report from the E4 Team's visit is scheduled to be released in about 45 days.