Under the leadership of Col. Scott Carter, the Construction Facilities Management Officer, and David Holland, Director of Facility Management, the Georgia Army National Guard has embarked on Governor Sony Perdue’s Energy Challenge initiative. The Governor’s initiative has committed all state agencies to reduce energy consumption 15% by 2020.

The Georgia Army National Guard is moving toward participation in energy efficient rebate programs and implementation of water/energy conservation policies. Energy conservation strategies proposed for Georgia include installation of smart meters/monitors, photovoltaic systems, solar water heaters and lighting retrofits. Georgia facilities range from multi-story and single-story administration buildings, to maintenance shops, hangars and readiness centers.

Major Hunter, Director of Design and Project Management, in collaboration with the new energy staff at CFMO, continues development of energy efficient and renewable energy projects. Currently, several building renovations are in the design phase with Hunter’s engineering team.

Audits were conducted on several state facilities whereby inefficiencies were identified. Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Clay National Guard Center in metro Atlanta held prime opportunities to implement energy conservation measures.  Immediate initiatives were quickly identified recognizing the old, inefficient luminaires. Recent projects were completed at Building 555 Hangar and Building 831 at Dobbins, and Hangar 1 at Clay.

In Building 555 Hangar, there were a total of 30 existing 1000-watt high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and old magnetic coil core ballasts. Retrofitting the old luminaires and using the same quantities with T5 high output (T5HO) luminaires, contributes approximately $10,900.00 annual cost savings.

Building 831 administrative office luminaires were older, T-12 troffers. These were replaced on a one-for-one basis, with more efficient T-8 luminaires and electronic ballasts. The warehouse portion of this facility was equipped with a total of 18 HID metal halide luminaires. The existing luminaires were replaced through a one-for-one replacement using T5HO.

This retrofit project reduces energy costs by approximately $7,750.00 per year.  Maintenance costs are reduced by approximately 20% due to the extended life of newer technology ballasts and bulbs.                                                                                                                                       

Hangar 1 at Clay National Guard Center was also a prime candidate for retrofit as the older, metal halide 1000 watt lamps and magnetic coil core ballast offered an opportunity to reduce energy costs by approximately $12,340 per year. The old luminaires were replaced on a one-for-one basis, with electronic ballasts, reduced wattage, using T5HO’s lamps which maintain recommended light levels.

Aside from energy conservation and savings from maintenance on extended lamp life, added benefits of retrofitting allows for replacements to be scheduled as useful life is reached. Replacements can be budgeted to contribute to cost management.

Jon Fetta, maintenance engineer with the Georgia’s Clay National Guard Center, has worked diligently with local AE firms and contractors to bring these projects to a close.

“We are satisfied with the overall lighting performance for several reasons. First, the increased output and visibility in the Hangars is a much needed improvement. Secondly, service staff can devote more time to preventative maintenance and routine services rather than spending time replacing lights and ballasts.”

As with any team, success is paramount. That is why the leadership in the Georgia Army National Guard continues to take a proactive approach to energy conservation and reductions to overall environmental impact. It is a small effort compared to the total impact of the goals and objectives.

Georgia’s Army National Guard is marching forward, anticipating the approval of SB194 which allows state agencies to enter into energy performance contracting agreements.  EPCA’s are typically between a customer and an energy service company. Costs saved by implementing energy projects are the medium by which projects become viable, based on capital investment costs and returns on investments. Pending approval of SB194, the Georgia Army Guard looks to surpass Governor Purdue’s Energy Challenge.