Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport to Save Millions with Energy Savings Performance Contract Project

From Naval Sea Systems Command Public Affairs

KEYPORT, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division, Keyport flipped a ceremonial switch Feb. 1, marking the end of a 12-month Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) construction phase and the beginning of energy savings worth more than $43 million over the life of the contract.

The ESPC's geothermal heat pumps, high efficiency HVAC and building systems, improved energy management controls and other features of the conservation project will reduce energy consumption and significantly reduce NUWC's carbon footprint.

"The long tradition of stewardship and management continues today as we celebrate the end of the 12-month construction project and the beginning of reducing our annual energy consumption by more than 30 percent," said Capt. Stephen Iwanowicz, NUWC Keyport commander. "The 2.5 million kilowatt hours per year the improvements will save translates into over 7,000 tons of CO2 during the life of this contract."

Iwanowicz said by using the Energy Savings Performance Contract, no military construction funding was needed for the project. The Trane Corporation spent $15.9 million during the past year to install energy saving equipment and infrastructure at Keyport.

Using dollars from its energy savings, Keyport will repay Trane for the installation then realize full costs the full cost-savings benefit following payoff. The total value of this energy efficiency initiative during the 18-year life of the contract is $43.6 million.

"From the Navy's standpoint and my standpoint, Keyport has been a real leader in this effort," said Rear Adm. Thomas Wears, commander, NUWC. "When you look back at when the inception of this effort started, it was probably before some of the more recent goals that had been put out by the Navy and by the secretary of the Navy, so Keyport was forward-looking in how to reduce cost, and probably more important for our country now, a security issue for our energy footprint."

Wears said the secretary of the Navy has made his three major goals clear: improvement in acquisitions, unmanned systems, and energy independence, and the importance of reducing the Navy's energy footprint; especially in shore infrastructures.

Wears commended Keyport who explored the ESPC strategy several years ago that allowed flexibility with no up-front costs to the Navy.

"It's a win-win, and is good for the taxpayer," said Wears.

Keyport's land-based facilities and operations on underwater test ranges have been recognized for environmental stewardship and resource management. Both NUWC Keyport and Naval Base Kitsap were honored in 2009 with the Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management as well as receiving the 2009 Secretary of the Navy's Energy and Water Management Award.

NUWC Keyport, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, provides the Navy's full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support center for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapon systems associated with undersea warfare (USW), and related areas of homeland security and national defense.

For more news from Naval Sea Systems Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/navsea/.