Most DoD operations, including maintenance, are dependent on fuel. Having more energy efficient equipment, or facilities, not only saves money, but gives organizations more flexibility, and can even save the lives of support personnel. This forum will begin by discussing the statutes and policies that are driving DoD towards alternatives energy sources and increased energy efficiencies, followed by examples of how the Services are achieving these targets through alternate energy sources. These technologies include methane conversion, wind turbine & solar arrays, energy efficiency partnerships, propane powered vehicles, electric-hydro dynamic wind power, and new battery technologies. Several ongoing Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) / Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) projects will also be discussed. Please join us and participate in the exchange of information and ideas.
Agenda
1300-1309: Welcome and Overview – Greg Kilchenstein (OSD)
1309-1310: Administrative Notes – Debbie Lilu (NCMS)
1310-1340: ESTCP/SERDP Energy Projects – Tim Tetreault (ESTCP)
– Underground Thermal Energy Storage
– Rapid Load Shedding Micro-Grid Control System
– Remote Energy Audit
1340-1355: U.S.M.C. Alternate Energy Programs – TBD
– Methane Conversion
– Propane powered Vehicles
1355-1410: U.S. Army Wind Turbine & Solar Arrays – TBD (Toole Army Depot)
1410-1425: NAVAIR Energy Efficiency Programs – Sarah Tuley, (FRC-SW)
1425-1440: Turbine Generator Alternative Fuels – TBD
1440-1455: Electric-Hydro Dynamic Wind Power – Dawn White (Accio Energy)
1455-1500: Wrap-up and JTEG Principals Comments
JTEG Forum Minutes
Event: On 26 July, 2016, the Joint Technology Exchange Group (JTEG), in coordination with the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), hosted a virtual forum on “Alternate Energies / Energy Efficiencies”.
Purpose: The purpose of the forum was to discuss ongoing DoD efforts towards alternative energy sources and increased energy efficiencies. These efforts and technologies include methane conversion, wind turbine & solar arrays, energy efficiency partnerships, propane powered vehicles, electric-hydro dynamic wind power, and several ongoing Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) / Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) projects.
Welcome: Greg Kilchenstein (JTEG Co-Chair), welcomed everyone to the forum, thanked the presenters and all the listeners for their attendance, briefly described the purpose of the JTEG technology forums, and highlighted the importance of alternative energy/energy efficiencies in the DoD.
Administrative: This was an open forum. The presentations, along with questions and answers, were conducted through Adobe Connect. A separate audio line was used. Approximately 45 participants from across DoD and industry joined in the forum.
ESTCP/SERDP Energy Projects – Tim Tetreault (ESTCP) presented three energy projects.
Underground Thermal Energy Storage: Tim discussed Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHPs) with new (to US) Underground Thermal Energy Storage (UTES) being demonstrated at MCLB Albany and Fort Benning. He discussed Borehole and Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage systems used for summer cooling with initial results of a 50% reduction in HVAC kBtu/ft2.
Rapid Load Shedding Micro-Grid Control System: Tim described the Micro-grid with Fast Load Shedding (FLS) and Ancillary Services which uses different technologies to provide FLS capability to match critical loads to on-site generation for grid stability.
Remote Energy Audit: Tim discussed the Remote Building Analytics (RBA) platform, which combines meter data with weather/climate data and building characteristics to provide a consistent, reliable view of how energy is used inside a building. It has been at 12 sites with 100 buildings.
U.S.M.C. MCLB Albany Energy Programs – Eddie Hunt (MCLB Albany) briefed the MCLB Albany Landfill Gas to Energy (LFGE) project from scope, to benefits, to challenges. He also described the Borehole Thermal Energy Storage project, the solar farm project, and several other projects which combined are forecasted to reach net-zero by 3Q 2017.
FRCSW Energy Initiatives – Sarah Tuley, (FRC-SW) described their Energy Service Performance Contract (ESPC) as a vehicle to implement energy efficiency and renewable projects which is set for completion in June 2017. She also described several ESPC projects to include a lighting retrofit, compressed air decentralization and optimization, laboratory upgrades, and cooling tower upgrades.
The Hunt Furnace for Energy Applications – Jon Riley (NCMS) provided a description of the pre-production Hunt Furnace which uses a plasma field and magnetic fusion to produce controllable and sustainable thermal energy which can be harvested to generate electricity. Also, it uses virtually anything as supplemental fuel.
U.S. Army Wind Turbine & Solar Arrays – Royal Rice (Toole Army Depot) discussed numerous non-renewable energy projects to include the installation of a bidirectional metering station, the FY17 installation of gas turbine backup generators, and a depot micro-grid in FY18; and renewable projects including a culinary heat pump, solar walls, wind turbines, and solar arrays.
Conversion to Propane Powered Vehicles – Brendon Van Beuge (Bridgeport Warfare Center) This initiative focuses on evaluating the utility and feasibility and maintainability of utilizing propane injected diesel engine systems, as a power source in wheeled and tracked commercial vehicles. Kits were just installed in late May, so data is currently being collected. Operators have commented on the increase in power as well as smoother vehicle operation.
Electric-Hydro Dynamic (EHD) Wind Power – Jason Wible (DOE) described this ARPA-E award winning transformative offshore wind technology whose goal is to complete the first-ever sub-commercial scale validation of offshore power production using EHD technology and validate disruptive LCOE cost. The floating EHD wind system is a portable, survivable, modular, and scalable renewable energy source whose potential applications include expeditionary and relief operations.
Closing Comments: Greg Kilchenstein thanked the presenters for their contributions and the audience for their participation. He commented on the quality of the presentations and the great variety of capabilities discussed by the presenters.
Action Items:
1) Obtain “public Release” versions of the presentations and post to the JTEG website. These meeting minutes, the Q&A, and those briefing slides approved for public release, will be posted on the JTEG website at https://jteg.ncms.org/ . (All presenters, LMI, NCMS)
2) Provide DOE contact to the Hunt Furnace team. (OSD/NCMS)
Next JTEG Meeting: The next JTEG virtual forum is 30 August 2016, 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST. The topic is “Welding Inspection, Operations, and Training”.
POC this action is Ray Langlais, rlanglais@lmi.org , (571) 633-8019
Alternate Energy JTEG Forum Q&A
ESTCP/SERDP Energy Projects
Tim Tetreault (ESTCP)
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Q1. Tim, any issues with ground water contamination with your UTE system?
A1. No, it’s not an issue for the Borehole Thermal Energy Storage (BTES). It is a closed loop system. As for the Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), I don’t know. They separate the systems.
Q2. Are you aware of any commercial use of the UTES to date?
A2. Yes. It is common in Europe and available commercially. It’s just not common in the U.S.
Q3. Are DoD facilities authorized to use the remote audit tool/process?
A3. There was a follow-up funded by DoD to conduct audits. Sites have recently been selected for the next phase.
U.S.M.C. MCLB Albany Energy Programs
Eddie Hunt (MCLB Albany)
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Q1. Are there any unique maintenance challenges with burning methane?
A1. Methane is its’ own animal. It loves hot days and rain at night. There is a new requirement that the ground must now be lined.
Q2. Have you tried Tim’s remote audit tool?
A2. No. We do 25% of our buildings each year. We would be interested in the tool.
Q3. Will the methane ultimately run out as the trash decomposes?
A3. Yes, the normal life is 30-35 years
FRCSW Energy Initiatives
Sarah Tuley, (FRC-SW)
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Q1. Who pays the bank loans if the system does not provide savings?
A1. The contractor pays full cost.
Q2. Would using Tim’s remote audit tool in conjunction with standard ASHRAE methods reduce ESPC risk?
A2. Tim’s remote tool would be another tool to use to audit. I don’t think it would reduce the risk of savings. It is a great way to audit.
Q3. What is the payback period for the lighting conversion?
A3. Overall, it is 7 years. For just the lighting, I would have to estimate at 1-2 years.
Q4. Fence-to-fence bundled ESPC or isolated to industrial buildings?
A4. Fence-to-fence. It is all bundled.
Q5. Do you use any acoustic sensors to detect compressed air leaks?
A5. No, we do not. We use an ultraviolet (UV) gun to detect the leaks.
Q6. Are you working with your corrosion folks to ensure your new HVAC components are designing in anti-corrosion features?
A6. Yes. We have worked with corrosion since the beginning.
Q7. I assume EMCS includes added metering or sensors?
A7. Yes. EMCS actually includes both. We are adding several additional buildings and compressed air units.
Q8. What contracting vehicle did you use?
A8. The Army Corps of Engineers
The Hunt Furnace for Energy Applications
Jon Riley (NCMS)
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Q1. Is the Department of Energy (DOE) interested in the Hunt Furnace?
A1. This is the first time the technology has been rolled out publicly.
Comment: DOE has a technology program called ARPA that may be a good fit for you. We’ll send you the info.
Q2. You briefed that the system uses 2 mature technologies. What is the TRL of the system?
A2. I’d say it is a TRL of 6 going to a 7. It has been in production for 3 years.
Q3. Comment: It seems like this tech would be applicable to a NetZero goal?
A3. N / A
Q4. Do you have a website that we can view for more information?
A4. No, not yet. But you are welcome to come to Michigan for a demonstration.
Q5. Has a Hunt furnace been integrated into an end to end power generation system?
A5. No. It has been 100% privately funded to date. We need to get more visibility and funding to integrate into new applications.
Q6. What is the power output?
A6. Enough to easily drive a 250KW generator. It is scalable.
Q7. Emissions?
A7. Burns completely. Nothing is left
Q8. Is the prototype portable to do a roadshow at AF depots?
A8. No. But we can show you in Michigan and can easily develop a portable capability.
U.S. Army Wind Turbine & Solar Arrays
Royal Rice (Toole Army Depot)
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No Questions
Conversion to Propane Powered Vehicles
Brendon Van Beuge (Bridgeport Warfare Center)
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Q1. What results have you seen?
A1. The demonstration is only in its first month, so we don’t have any official results yet.
Electric-Hydro Dynamic Wind Power
Jason Wible (DOE)
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No Questions