Peterson powers up new energy plan Published Jan. 11, 2010 By Monica Mendoza 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In 2010, around the 21st Space Wing, civil engineers will be counting watts like weight watchers count their calories. Energy conservation is taking place behind building walls and above ceilings with the addition of new heating, venting and air conditioning units. In offices, new computer programs that use hibernating mode are saving energy. Outside, hybrid vehicles, ground source heating pumps, wind turbines and sensor sprinklers are all saving energy. "The sprinklers will no longer run when it's raining," said Randy Pieper, 21st Civil Engineer Squadron resource efficiency manager. "And, there are moisture sensors, so we won't overwater." It's all part of the 2010 Air Force-wide energy savings plan, "Energy Solutions, Fueling the Mission," released in December. The plan calls for the Air Force to reduce its energy costs, increase its use of renewable energy sources -- including using wind turbines and solar panels -- and change its culture or attitude about energy conservation. This year, Peterson Air Force Base engineers, with local contractors, will audit 25 percent of the base buildings looking for ways energy is seeping out, getting wasted and costing the Air Force money. "We are identifying areas of energy waste," said Jim Jacobsen, 21st CES mechanical engineer and base energy manager. "From the audits, we are able to identify energy conservation measures and then evaluate the cost effectiveness and savings." Energy audits of all base buildings, no doubt, will include significant recommendations: replace furnaces, install new windows; and rip out old HVACs. But, there's more. Civil engineers will become "Watt Watchers" and they'll ask every base employee to be one too. That means turning off the lights and appliances when they are not being used. In his "Watt Watchers" newsletter, Mr. Pieper details the cost per month to operate a variety of appliances. For example, a desktop computer, at an estimated 250 watts, running for 120 hours, costs about $2.70 a month. "It's a dollar here and a dollar there for every appliance," Mr. Pieper said. "But, how many appliances do you have? It all adds up." Peterson Air Force Base spends about $4.8 million a year on electricity. Starting in 2007, the goal has been to reduce consumption by 3 percent a year to meet a 30 percent reduction by the year 2015. Already, the dollars in savings are adding up. In 2009, the Air Force reduced the amount of energy used per square foot by 13 percent from 2003. Peterson reduced energy consumption by 4.2 percent and the wing saw an 8 percent reduction in that same time period, Mr. Jacobsen said. Every watt adds up and everyone needs to be a watt watcher, Mr. Pieper said. "In the past year, we've seen changes in attitudes and acceptance of energy awareness, "Mr. Pieper said.