Saving a Little Energy Adds Up

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Erik Luebke,

Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Public Works Department (PWD) has been making small changes over the past several years at Capodichino, Support Site, Lago Patria and Carney Park bases in an effort to conserve energy.

This push to save energy in its various forms, such as water, electricity and gas, stems from President Barrack Obama's current energy policy.

"We aren't just conserving energy because we have to," said Luca Guadagnuolo, the utility and energy management (UEM) branch head. "It's also a part of our environmental duty. By conserving energy, we help save the planet."

The UEM team already has many low-cost initiatives in place, including low-flush toilets, motion-sensor lights in offices and replacing low-efficiency light bulbs with ones designed to use less power. However, not all of UEM's energy-saving plans are so small. In 2010, PWD installed solar panels on top of the Capodichino west parking garage which will replace a portion of the electricity used by the base with energy from the sun.

 "We are just waiting for the paperwork right now," said Utilitiesman 2nd Class (SCW) Kyle Ciopryna, a PWD energy manager. "When we turn those solar panels on, they should pay for themselves within just a few years, allowing us to spend that money on other projects, like placing more solar panels on the other garage."

 Another program UEM has in place calls for motivated people to take the roll of building energy and water monitor (BEWM). BEWMs are volunteers who promote and demonstrate good energy use, such as closing open windows when air conditioning is on and turning off lights or running water taps.

 "We've got so many low-cost initiatives in place to cut back energy use that the BEWM program has become one of our major ways to conserve energy," said Ciopryna. "We provide them with support and training in ways that they can help reduce energy consumption and energy waste. We usually have anywhere from 60 to 70 volunteers at any given time."