New energy-saving initiative starts at Luke

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 56th Civil Engineer has implemented an energy conservation initiative after normal duty hours. Computers will automatically shutdown daily starting at around midnight. Prior to shutdown, a countdown timer will be displayed on each computer screen and users will have the option to cancel the operation. Once the computers shut down, they may be turned back on at any time. 

This initiative is in response to executive order 13123, which mandates the reduction of energy consumption of federal facilities by fiscal year 2010. Based on a 1985 consumption baseline, the order requires 35 percent decease in energy consumed.
Luke has either met or exceeded the goals, leading Air Education and Training Command in energy reduction, according to Francisco Pardieu, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Base Energy manager. 

As the largest F-16 training base in the world, Luke employs more than 7,000 Airmen and civilians, around the clock in order to accomplish its mission. 

The training of Luke fighter pilots and mission ready Airmen, along with other base organizations that support the mission, require not only manpower, food and gas, but electricity, and lots of it. 

In fiscal year 2006, Luke consumed more than 75 million kilowatt hours, of electricity costing $4,314,827 to power aircraft maintenance tools, cool down work centers, power computers and more, to keep Luke's jets in the sky and accomplishing the mission.
In order to meet the requirements of EO 13123, Luke spent $20 million on energy retrofit projects in the three years prior to 2001 to decrease energy consumption by more than 25 present of the 1985 baseline, surpassing AETC's 24 percent goal. Luke was one of only two bases to surpass that goal (Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., was the other base,) he said. 

Since then, Luke has continued through various funding channels to accomplish projects that improve the efficiency of energy usage and renewable energy sources whenever possible. "Our goal is to use 100 percent renewable energy throughout Luke," Mr. Pardieu said. 

To help reduce Luke's energy consumption and to increase the use of renewable energy, Honeywell International helped to fund the installation of 452 photovoltaic solar panels on the 144,000-square-foot roof of the base exchange, which was completed in 2006. The solar panels produce 375 kilowatts of electricity -- enough energy to power some 100 homes per year. They also helped to carry 60 to 70 percent of the base exchanges load during peak hours thus freeing electricity to be used elsewhere on the power grid. 

The solar panels were designed to increase efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve comfort at the base, meanwhile helping Luke to save more than $21 million in energy and operational costs over the next 20 years, and cutting electricity use by an estimated 12.4 million kilowatt-hours per year. 

"With the solar roof in place, Luke is moving closer to realizing energy management goals set forth in the Energy Policy Act of 2005," said James Fitzpatrick, the 56th CES base engineer. "As a significant consumer of electrical power in this region, we are excited to do our part in helping the local community conserve energy resources through renewable solar technology." 

To increase public awareness and to promote energy conservation, Arizona Public Service is co-sponsoring with Luke to highlight an energy saving suggestion contest, through Aug. 15. 

Every week a contestant will be awarded for a suggestion. At the end of the campaign, the top five to six executable conservation suggestions will compete for a grand prize. 

To participate in the contest, send ideas to: save.energy@luke.af.mil.