Tyndall 'goes green' with solar energy systems on base Published May 14, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Hyatt 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Conventional power has kept Tyndall running for years, but now alternative sources, such as solar energy from the sun are being incorporated base-wide. The 325th Civil Engineer Squadron completed one of their renewable energy projects this week. "The systems installed are a little unique and have not been used at other air force bases," said Gilbert Walker, 325th CES energy and utilities manager. Three concentrated solar-collect ion systems were installed throughout the week to heat water in base facilities. An eight-foot dish was installed at the base gym and two four-foot dishes were installed; one at building 209, and the other at the Air Force Research Laboratory. "The system has been available for nearly 30 years," said Mr. Walker. "No other bases are using this technology yet." This project was done under an Energy Saving Performance Contract by the Honeywell Company. The ESPC is a Department of Energy contracting vehicle used by the federal government for projects that help reduce energy and assist in the purchase of renewable energy systems. Savings generated by the reduction of energy and water cost is used to pay for the contract from the utility budget. The 325th CES has been working on developing this project since 2005, said Mr. Walker. The Presidential Energy and Water Conservation Executive Order signed January 24 sets the use of renewable energy goal to 7.5 percent by 2013 for DoD facilities. All Air Force bases have implemented or purchased some form of renewable energy system whether it is wind, solar or geothermal. How will Tyndall's system work? The system tracks the sun and the dish concentrates the solar energy onto a collector. The collector has a coil of copper tubing. Water is cycled through the tubing, and is heated. The water is then used in the facilities by the occupants and supplements the hot water heater currently used in the facilities. "These systems are one-third the cost and produce about three times the amount of energy per square foot of existing solar hot water panels. If purchased and installed by a homeowner the payback for the system is five to seven years. Afterwards the energy is free," said Mr. Walker. "The DOE EPSC has considerable overhead costs so the payback period is considerably longer for our project," said Mr. Walker. Because of this base's location, the only two means of renewable energy technology are geothermal and solar. "This project will help the base review this technology for future projects, and increase public awareness on the use of renewable energy technology," said Mr. Walker. The environmental impact of the EPSC project helps reduce 9,827,415 pounds per year of carbon dioxide, 88 pounds per year of mercury, and a reduction in carbon monoxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, and over 2,152,259 pounds per year of solid waste according to Mr. Walker The system on Tyndall has a total global warming reduction potential of 10,497,144 pounds per year, and saves 1,340 acres of forest annually, said Mr. Walker. The DOE's slogan of the year is to "Think globally and act locally, make the clear energy choice every day and save some for all of us." Everyone benefits by reducing energy consumption. It helps reduce the soaring energy cost we experience today. The sun will continue to burn for years, so the transition to solar energy proves to be the best choice economically and environmentally.