Energy synergy Published Aug. 24, 2010 By Col. Stephen N. Whiting and Capt. Susan Nichols 21st Space Wing PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It's the little things... History has many examples of little things adding up to make a big difference. The Great Wall of China consists of many small bricks. The winner of every election wins by getting the largest number of individual votes. Great battles were won in the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the rest of America's battles because individual men and women stood together as one to turn the tide. Anyone who has successfully overcome anything - taking college classes at night, losing weight, quitting smoking - knows that it's not the big decision to take up the challenge that makes the difference. It is every single small decision that adds up to success. Working on that paper instead of "vegging out" on the couch, skipping the Dove chocolates someone offers from their desk candy dish, avoiding activities that make that old habit itch... This is how change really happens. We must now put this to the test. Tightening budgets have hit everyone and the Department of Defense is no different. In order to stretch resources, the Air Force has directed units cut their energy usage, which will result in reduced utility budgets. To achieve the Air Force mandated 3 percent reduction per year in energy usage (measured from the baseline year of 2003), the 21st Space Wing must reduce our utility expenditures by millions of dollars across all six of our installations: Peterson AFB; Cheyenne Mountain AFS; Thule AB, Greenland; Cape Cod AFS, Mass.; Cavalier AFS, N.D.; and Clear AFS, Alaska. This is a challenge, to say the least. The only way to meet this challenge is, as the Air Force Energy Vision asserts, to "create a culture where all Airmen make energy a consideration in everything we do." We have already assembled an Energy Strike Force to seek out initiatives to save on our energy consumption. Large scale projects like installing exhaust gas boilers at Thule to make use of energy that is currently being wasted, and centralizing control of base irrigation at Peterson in a manner that accounts for actual weather conditions, will save more than $1 million this coming year alone. These efforts will combine with smaller scale projects like new energy efficient lighting and low-flow flush devices, to take a big bite out of the energy shortfall. All the while, we are committed to keeping operational systems performing at maximum effectiveness and ensuring our Airmen and mission partners have what they need to accomplish their missions in a safe and comfortable manner. We cannot get there from here without changing how all of us use energy on our installations, however. The biggest impact most people will notice is with their HVAC. During the winter months, thermostats in the majority of buildings on base will be lowered. During the summer, the temperature set points will be raised. In all cases, the new set points will be within U.S. Air Force and Air Force Space Command guidelines of appropriate temperature ranges for buildings, and these small adjustments will save us more than $350,000 in FY11 alone. Energy consumption is now - depending on your level of optimism - everyone's problem or everyone's challenge. In fact, some say the development of energy conservation practices and alternative energy sources is a challenge akin to putting a man on the moon in the 1960s. It is a "strategic imperative" that also boils down to mission accomplishment, says the undersecretary of the Air Force. And further, our commander in chief has stated, "In order to create a clean energy economy that will increase our nation's prosperity, promote energy security, protect the interests of taxpayers, and safeguard the health of our environment, the federal government must lead by example." Additionally, the president has pointed out "the security imperative of increasing the use of alternative fuels, decreasing energy use, reducing our reliance on imported oil, [and] making ourselves more energy-efficient." So, if you don't think it's your challenge because you're not paying for it, think again. Here's how you can help. In addition to compiling initiatives to save on energy and water across all of our bases, the Energy Strike Force wants your tips and questions. They have established an e-mail address to gather your suggestions on how we can save on our utilities. Look around you. How can we better conserve? If you have an idea, let the Energy Strike Force know. For example, phantom loads (the power a device draws when not in use) account for 15 percent of a standard household energy bill, according to the Department of Energy. A question for the Energy Strike Force might be "Would it be worth purchasing smart power strips to block those phantom loads?" Maybe the 0.2kWh your printer uses in sleep mode doesn't sound like a lot. But how many printers are expending that energy for how long? The opportunity to save extends to more than just office equipment. We must also look to streamline our operational mission energy needs. As an example, the 21st Operations Group is investigating our ability to save energy and dollars by changing how utilities are used by our enormously powerful radars when those units are undergoing certain types of planned preventative maintenance. This will have zero impact on mission accomplishment or mission readiness, yet has the possibility of making a large dent in our energy shortfall. Many of you may have seen the announcement for the INVEST program within the last week, inviting you to submit ideas for how the DoD can be more efficient and effective. We highly encourage you to participate in this contest (see www.defense.gov/invest), in addition to the Peterson program. Your idea could make a nation-wide impact. If related to energy efficiency, let the Energy Strike Force help you refine your submission so it can be more competitive for the cash awards up for grabs. An unneeded lamp here, an unauthorized personal heater there, a radar radiating when there is not an operational need to do so, letting appliances ingest those phantom charges everywhere... These little things add up, especially when everyone is doing it. Likewise, it will take all of our small contributions to make a big difference when it comes to our consumption of utilities. I'm asking you to do your part, submit suggestions, and heed the changing policies that will be distributed over the next few months as we learn more about what we need to do to shrink our energy output.