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Alternative energy initiatives launched by AFMC

  • Published
  • By Ron Fry
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The Air Force is at the forefront of many Department of Defense energy initiatives.

Most are either happening, or are managed, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. The Air Force Materiel Command oversees the development and testing of alternative fuels for Air Force aircraft.

The command is seeking more "green" ways to power our fighters, bombers, transports and remotely piloted aircraft. In fact, one of the command's five priorities is to conserve resources.

Here are a few more nuggets of success:
· The Air Force's A-10 flight at Eglin AFB, Fla., on March 25, marked the first time an aircraft's (Air Force or Navy) only fuel source was a 50/50 blend of conventional and biomass-based fuel.
· In August, a C-17 test flight at Edwards AFB, Calif., used a blend of JP-8 jet fuel, biomass-based renewable fuel and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuel to power the aircraft.
· In November, a Global Hawk became the first remotely piloted aircraft to use the JP-8/ Fischer-Tropsch fuel blend, completing two flight-test sorties (46 hours total) at Edwards AFB.
· The Air Force Fuel Certification Office has certified more than 95 percent of the Air Force fleet, including all fighter aircraft, for unrestricted operations using a blend of Fischer-Tropsch and JP-8.
· Since 2007, all Air Force construction projects are required to use the U.S. Green Building Council's energy-efficiency designs.
· More than 40 installations and radar sites produce renewable energy using wind turbines, solar arrays, landfill gas generators or ground-source heat pumps.
· The Air Force's first biomass plants are in development at Eglin AFB and Robins AFB, Ga.
· The Air Force has identified 15 solar projects it hopes to construct and bring on line by 2013.
· Also, the Air Force Research Laboratory headquartered at Wright-Patt is a DOD leader in energy initiatives.

Tinker energy, alternative fuels, what's going on?

Culture change is already taking place:
· Renewable energy
· 7.5 percent energy is wind power

Alternative fuel vehicle fleet
·E-85, Biodiesel, Hybrid, Electric, CNG, propane

Steam decentralization
·34 percent natural gas reduction predicted
·Approximately $6M in annual savings

Advanced metering
·101 meters being installed
·Monitor usage and enable competitive culture

Facility Audits
·6.6M square feet audited in FY 2010
·Indentified energy and water conservation opportunities

Successes
·Tinker Youth Center
37 percent energy use reduction
·72nd Medical Group
38 percent energy use reduction
·Chemical Cleaning Line
84 percent water use reduction

Tinker Goals

Tinker's conservation goal for electricity is 10 percent in fiscal 2011 with a total reduction of 50 percent by 2016. Conservation goals include water usage reduction by 65 percent with a 50 percent reduction in vehicle and jet fuel usage over the next five years.

"Energy conservation is everyone's responsibility," Mr. Griffith said. "So, look around; try to help and pass your great ideas to Tinker's energy team at energy@tinker.af.mil." Or go to the new Energy Team WEB-page at https://wwwmil.tinker.af.mil/tet/index.asp.