Energy Security Analysis for West Point Training Camps

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Leemans ◽  
Martin Baker ◽  
Gunnar Tamm ◽  
Daniel Andrews ◽  
Elsa Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Security ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Military Training ◽  
Security Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
West Point ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

The United States Military Academy has been charged with reaching Net Zero Energy consumption by 2020. Feasibility assessments to this point have neglected the field facilities used for military training, which are remote locations susceptible to power loss and subject to a higher rate structure for electricity than the rest of the installation. An energy security analysis methodology is described and applied to the training camps at West Point. This began with identifying the mission of the camps and critical power needs based on discussions with the customer, the Director of Cadet Military Training. Details of power and energy usage along with supply and delivery cost structure were provided by the utility and the facility Energy Manager. Conventional and renewable resource potentials were assessed to meet the load profile within financial constraints and funding opportunities unique to a federal government agency. The final recommendation is to incorporate three different technologies: a 50 kW photovoltaic solar system installed through a power purchase agreement, two small scale hydropower systems totaling 30 kW, and a lake based cooling system to provide air conditioning. The installation of these three systems would move the installation closer to the Net Zero Energy goal and lower the energy requirements to provide cooling. Altogether the proposed project would pay back in 16 years with an expected lifespan of 20–30 years. Batteries, generators, and pumped hydro were also examined as possible energy storage options and to shave the peak electrical load. However, the lack of on peak/off peak pricing made these options less viable. These recommendations will increase West Point’s energy security, progress towards the Net Zero Energy goal, and provide cost savings over current utility expenditures.

ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVE ENERGY RETROFIT STRATEGIES AND RELATED IMPACT ON INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 38-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Hu
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
High Performance ◽  
The United States ◽  
School Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Educational Buildings ◽  
K 12

1.0. INTRODUCTION In the United States, K–12 school buildings spend more than $8 billion each year on energy—more than they spend on computers and textbooks combined [1]. Most occupied older buildings demonstrate poor operational performance—for instance, more than 30 percent of schools were built before 1960, and 53 percent of public schools need to spend money on repairs, renovations, and modernization to ensure that the schools' onsite buildings are in good overall condition. And among public schools with permanent buildings, the environmental factors in the permanent buildings have been rated as unsatisfactory or very unsatisfactory in 5 to 17 percent of them [2]. Indoor environment quality (IEQ) is one of the core issues addressed in the majority of sustainable building certification and design guidelines. Children spend a significant amount of time indoors in a school environment. And poor IEA can lead to sickness and absenteeism from school and eventually cause a decrease in student performance [3]. Different building types and their IEQ characteristics can be partly attributed to building age and construction materials. [4] Improving the energy performance of school buildings could result in the direct benefit of reduced utility costs and improving the indoor quality could improve the students' learning environment. Research also suggests that aging school facilities and inefficient equipment have a detrimental effect on academic performance that can be reversed when schools are upgraded. [5] Several studies have linked better lighting, thermal comfort, and air quality to higher test scores. [6, 7, 8] Another benefit of improving the energy efficiency of education buildings is the potential increase in market value through recognition of green building practice and labeling, such as that of a LEED or net zero energy building. In addition, because of their educational function, high-performance or energy-efficient buildings are particularly valuable for institution clients and local government. More and more high-performance buildings, net zero energy buildings, and positive energy buildings serve as living laboratories for educational purposes. Currently, educational/institutional buildings represent the largest portion of NZE (net zero energy) projects. Educational buildings comprise 36 percent of net zero buildings according to a 2014 National New Building Institute report. Of the 58 net zero energy educational buildings, 32 are used for kindergarten through grade 12 (K–12), 21 for higher education, and 5 for general education. [9] Finally, because educational buildings account for the third largest amount of building floor space in the United States, super energy-efficient educational buildings could provide other societal and economic benefits beyond the direct energy cost savings for three reasons: 1) educational buildings offer high visibility that can influence community members and the next generation of citizens, 2) success stories of the use of public funds that returns lower operating costs and healthier student learning environments provide documentation that can be used by others, and 3) this sector offers national and regional forums and associations to facilitate the transfer of best design and operational practices.

Achieving the Net Zero Energy Target in Northern Italy: Lessons Learned from an Existing Passivhaus with Earth-to-Air Heat Exchanger

2013 ◽  
Vol 689 ◽  
pp. 184-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvatore Carlucci ◽  
Paolo Zangheri ◽  
Lorenzo Pagliano
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Po Valley ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

The recast of the European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings introduces the concept of nearly Zero Energy Building. To obtain a practical interpretation of this building concept, it is necessary to clarify two main issues: (i) how it is possible to select a reliable and agreed upon concept of “zero energy”; (ii) which technological features might be used to reach that target. In order to test the design of a nearly Zero Energy Building in the South of Europe, we present as case study an Italian Passivhaus located in the Po Valley that has been monitored for 18 months and analyzed through dynamic simulations of calibrated models. In this paper we present a selection of the result of the monitoring and simulation phases regarding the contribution (in terms of reduction of the indoor operative temperatures) of Earth-to-Air Heat Exchangers and natural ventilation strategies to meet different summer thermal comfort targets and consequently to avoid the installation of an active cooling system.

scholarly journals Innovative Evaporative Cooling System Toward Net Zero Energy Buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreu Moià-Pol ◽  
Victor Martínez-Moll ◽  
Susana Hormigos ◽  
Andrey Lyubchik
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Materials Science ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Highly Qualified ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Time Of Year

The SSHARE project will develop innovative self-sufficient envelope for buildings aimed at net zero energy, thereby contributing to the European technology. Envelope is a combination of two breaking through technologies: HUNTER-Humidity to Electricity Convertor and Advanced Radiant Panel for Buildings that will cool or heat the building, depending on the time of year, imitating perspiration of living beings and using only water as both thermal and electric energy supply. Successful realization of the project is assured by implementing a coordinated network of knowledge sharing in materials science, chemistry and mechanical engineering; by solidifying the state-of-the-art understanding in nanoelectronics and energy efficiency, and by applying bottom-up nanoengineering approaches via an international and inter-sector collaboration of highly qualified researchers from Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, Belarus, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research Russian Federation. Technological (panels fabrication) as well as fundamental (renewable energy) issues will be assessed by this multidisciplinary consortium. This paper explains the basis and principles for the development of a new generation of building materials and hence the creation of net zero building. Sharing the culture of research and innovation, the SSHARE project will allow applying recent advancements in nanotechnology science and mechanical engineering to address ““Plus Energy Houses”” EU 2050 concept.”.

Energizing Interdisciplinarity

2013 ◽  
pp. 157-198
Author(s):  
Bruce Keith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
The United States ◽  
West Point ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Pedagogical Orientation ◽  
The U.S

The U.S. military is the largest single consumer of energy in the United States. Global attention to the management of energy resources will require the Department of Defense (DoD) to address its energy consumption. Prompted by a DoD directive on environmental sustainability, this chapter provides a case study on West Point’s potential to assist the Army with the problem of energy consumption through its participation in the DoD’s Net Zero Energy initiative. To be successful, West Point must transform its largely compartmentalized curriculum into one with interdisciplinary potential. Although its mission—to develop commissioned leaders of character for the Army—has changed very little during the past two centuries, its approach to leader development has shifted from a pedagogical orientation on attrition to development. This pedagogical model, when coupled with the energy initiative, is positioned to transform undergraduate education at West Point with an enhanced sense of urgency and action.

Design and Assembly of a New Methane Generation System for Energy Conversion From Biowaste

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Alhalwachi ◽  
Omar Moreno-Flores ◽  
Shelbie Davis ◽  
Matthew Torrey ◽  
Khalid Altamimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Washington State ◽  
Photovoltaic System ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Generation System ◽  
Methane Generation ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Rest Areas ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

Abstract According to executive order 18-01 and 20-01 signed by the Washington State Governor, all newly constructed public buildings and facilities shall be designed to be net-zero energy capable. To respond to the governor’s order, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has asked for the design of a system that can use biowaste that accumulates at their safety rest stop areas to generate electricity to power the facilities. The goal of this project seeks to assist WSDOT by designing, building, and testing the capability of a small-scale methane energy generator that can be scaled to fit the needs of any rest area. There are a small number of methane generators in existence [1.]. However, they are not designed to satisfy the needs of net-zero energy facilities and safety rest areas. In this work, a net-zero methane generation system is presented to show how it can convert biowaste into methane for electricity at rest areas. The model is composed of two tanks to store the biomaterial, a filtration system to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2), a generator that runs on methane gas, and a photovoltaic system that powers temperature sensing devices. Through testing, it was shown that this system could generate energy through the use of bovine waste. Further improvements are needed to increase methane production and make operation more efficient. Future testing on human waste from a safety rest area will also be necessary before proving that the system can meet energy generation requirements.

scholarly journals Net Zero Energy Homes: An Evaluation of Two Homes in the Northeastern United States

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simi Hoque
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
The United States ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Residential Design ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Net Zero Energy Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

This paper will discuss two Net Zero Energy homes in the United States. The aim is to discuss the differences and similarities in the construction type, energy use, active and renewable systems of the two homes. While each of the homes is designed to achieve net zero site energy use, the design and systems are very different. Furthermore, the measure that is used to qualify a home as net zero energy does not account for the full scope of work on each home. It is suggested that a new set of metrics be developed to allow for a more robust understanding of net zero energy buildings, one that integrates passive design strategies, occupant health and comfort, and durability. The objective is to facilitate a broader understanding of efficient and sustainable residential design. This understanding is critical to bringing Net Zero Energy Buildings to the public.

scholarly journals Applying Solar PV to Heat Pump and Storage Technologies in Australian Houses

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5480
Author(s):  
Tom Simko ◽  
Mark B. Luther ◽  
Hong Xian Li ◽  
Peter Horan
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Storage ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Solar Pv ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Photovoltaic Array ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

Innovative mechanical services coupled with renewable energy systems are crucial for achieving a net zero energy goal for houses. Conventional systems tend to be vastly oversized because they lack the means to buffer energy flows and are based on peak loads. This paper presents an approach to achieve a net zero energy goal for houses by using a solar PV system, heat pumps, and thermal and electrical storage batteries, all off-the-shelf. Constraining one part of the system and then showing how to manage energy storage and flow is a paradigm shift in sizing. The design is for a modest-sized house built in Melbourne, Australia. The output of a solar photovoltaic array drives a small-scale heat pump to heat water, buffering its energy in a thermal battery to energise a radiant space heating system. Space cooling is provided by a separate heat pump. Through energy storage in electrical and thermal batteries, it is possible to meet the electricity, heating and cooling needs of the house for the Melbourne climate with a heat pump that draws less than 1 kW. The design methodology is detailed in an appendix and can be applied to similar projects. This paper contributes to similar work worldwide that aims to reinforce innovative renewable energy driven service design.

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