U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyFederal Energy Management ProgramESET Completed and Planned Assessments
David McAndrew, a DOE FEMP Project Leader, participates in the Denver Federal Center ESET assessment where 75% of the facility was evaluated. Improved airflow control in this FDA laboratory space offers significant energy savings opportunities. Energy savings expert teams (ESET) have completed 28 assessments so far this fiscal year as part of the broad strategy to reduce natural gas consumption at federal facilities. Nineteen ESET teams visited these federal sites from October 27 to December 21, 2005, assessing opportunities to reduce natural gas use. The teams identified potential natural gas savings of more than 18% of the total natural gas consumption. Nearly 10% of the federal natural gas load was evaluated during these visits. Eight to 10 additional assessments are planned for the remainder of this fiscal year. ESET teams with experts from FEMP, DOE's national laboratories, the private sector, University of Chicago, and SAVEnergy, focused primarily on reducing natural gas with no- and low-cost operational efficiency measures. Because boilers use considerable amounts of natural gas, boiler efficiency, steam traps, distribution line failures and boiler controls were examined. The teams also focused on identifying efficiency and conservation measures to reduce electricity consumption at participating sites. FEMP recently completed a summary report highlighting the findings from this first round of assessments—Energy Savings Expert Teams: FY 2006 Summary Report (PDF 256 KB, 10 pp). Download Adobe Reader Robins Air Force Base, one of the 28 sites visited, demonstrated the greatest opportunity for natural gas savings with an estimated natural gas annual savings of 91,180 MMBtu. Some of the improvement opportunities include a steam trap repair plan with potential savings of 38,760 MMBtu, resetting oxygen setpoint for central steam plant boiler and tuning all satellite boilers for savings of 10,140 MMBtu, using an EMCS to setback space heating setpoints and programmable thermostats to setback space heating setpoints for a savings of 28,180 MMBtu, turning off lights during unoccupied periods for a savings of 12,400 MMBtu, and insulating steam lines & valves in open valve pits for a savings 13,200 MMBtu. For the remainder of FY 2006, ESET teams will focus on implementing recommended operational measures and tracking and reporting these projects. Visit this page, for a complete listing of ESET site visits. Composition of ESET TeamsDepartment of Energy, FEMP Private sector Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) SAVEnergy Contractor (SEC) |