October is Energy Action Month

14 October 2022

From Bryan Law, Navy Region Hawaii Energy Program

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - Each October, the U.S. Navy and many agencies across the country recognize Energy Action Month (EAM) to promote sustainability, clean energy, efficiency and resilience, while encouraging the smart use of energy, water, and transportation resources.

Why is the focus on energy? Energy in various forms powering our joint forces defense missions from afloat to ashore, in the air and under the sea. For our installations, electricity is powering our family housings, illuminating airfields at night, keeping computing centers running and facilities cool, while enabling many others essential operations for mission readiness. Hawaii is the state most dependent on petroleum fuels for electricity generation. The conflicts in Ukraine and rise in oil prices have highlighted economic impacts and supply chain disruptions due to dependency on imported fuels. To reduce this dependency and increase energy resilience, our installations are partnering with our local communities to advance toward Hawaii’s clean energy vision.

In March 2021, a 19.3 MegaWatts defined conditions (MWdc) photovoltaic (PV) solar array with 70 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) on board PMRF began commercial operation. This project is a showcase of successful collaboration between PMRF and its local electric utility Kauai Island Utilities Cooperative (KIUC) utilizing an Enhanced Used Lease (EUL) authorized by U.S.C. 2667. As part of the in-kind consideration KIUC constructed energy resilience infrastructure improvement for PMRF, including black-start islanding capability, which significantly improved mission assurance in response to potential power grid disruptions. During the initial 12-month operation, this project has resulted in $2.1M in fuel cost savings for KIUC rate payers and reduced more than 29,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent emission.

In October 2022, a 42 MW solar farm with 168 MWh BESS will begin construction at West Loch, JBPHH. This Kupono Solar project is a partnership between the Navy, AMERESCO, and Hawaiian Electric Company to generate clean renewable energy and lessen the cost impact from imported oil. Through this Enhanced Use Lease partnership, the Navy will receive in-kind consideration in the form of infrastructure improvement and increase resilience to support our missions.

What actions can you take? There are many energy saving opportunities in your home and your workplace that can reduce waste and ease the impact of rising energy costs.

Turn off air conditioning and lights in unoccupied spaces
Secure AC boundary when the AC is running – close doors and windows
Turn off unused machines or appliances during lunch or at the end of the day
Report and/or fix water leaks
Review your operation and identify efficiency opportunities
Participate in the Building Energy Monitor program and learn about conservation and efficiency ideas, also help to get the words out to your teammates

Your efforts can make a difference! Visit Navy Region Hawaii's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/NavyRegionHawaii/) for more information.

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