Huntsville Center energy program upgrading Navy installation

Huntsville Center Public Affairs
Published Oct. 15, 2021
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dam Neck Activity scientists and engineers assist Sailors from Tactical Training Group Atlantic during their bridge team testing of the Advanced Navigation Team Shipboard Simulation Phase 1 system in command’s Naval Simulation Center. A recent U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville Utility Energy Service Contract opportunity is providing infrastructure improvements and enhanced energy assurance and resilience at the Navy installation.

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Dam Neck Activity scientists and engineers assist Sailors from Tactical Training Group Atlantic during their bridge team testing of the Advanced Navigation Team Shipboard Simulation Phase 1 system in command’s Naval Simulation Center. A recent U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville Utility Energy Service Contract opportunity is providing infrastructure improvements and enhanced energy assurance and resilience at the Navy installation.

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping the Department of Defense achieve mission effectiveness by integrating energy programs, initiatives and activities across the services.

A recent U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center Huntsville Utility Energy Service Contract opportunity is providing infrastructure improvements and enhanced energy assurance and resilience across a Navy installation supporting the nation’s military through the development and integration of warfare systems. 

In October 2018, the Navy reached out to Huntsville Center for assistance in providing engineering and contracting support services to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division.

Headquartered at Dahlgren, Virginia, NSWCDD is a shore command of the Navy under the Naval Sea Systems Command performing research and development in warfare systems design and integration.

Huntsville Center’s Utility Energy Services Contracting program was the solution to the Navy’s requirement as the Center’s UESC program encompasses a broad range of energy conservation measures providing its customers flexibility to specifically tailor a project to a customer’s energy needs.

Since the request, a $10.5 million project has been designed for NSWCDD and is being implemented across the span of two phases. 

Phase One of the project was awarded in October 2020 and provides the most energy efficient savings. 

According to Rodney Ries, Huntsville Center UESC project manager, Phase One consists of approximately 50% of the overall project upgrading 15,500 existing light fixtures to LED across 35 facilities.

“This includes both interior lighting and exterior lighting, resulting in an expected annual energy savings of over $430,000,” Ries said.

Phase One is on track to be completed on schedule by the end of the year.

Phase Two consists of energy and environmental compliance measures including new HVAC systems, replacing existing facility sensors, upgrading controllers and optimizing controls.

Phase Two was awarded in June and is expected to begin construction of this phase in January after completion of the final designs. 

“This phase has the savings potential of 1,735,082 kWh of electricity consumption resulting in a total annual savings of approximately $244,000,” Ries said. 

The project is scheduled to have all equipment upgrades completed and ready for implementation by Summer of 2022 with both phases of the project providing NSWCDD a total of $10.5 million in system upgrades paid for by energy savings.

“The relationship built between the Huntsville Center and the Navy has grown exponentially and is a true example of the professional support Huntsville Center provides all branches of the Department of Defense,” Reis said.

John Lee, NSWCDD facility manager, has been managing this project for the Navy from conception to execution.

He said the UESC project is going very well, thanks to the support he has received from Huntsville Center’s UESC team.

“(The Huntsville Center UESC team) continue to provide fantastic support,” he said. “I only wish I could work with them on all my projects and I couldn't be more appreciative of the professional service Huntsville Center has provided.”