Fort Bliss Moves to Net Zero Energy Consumption
Planning and Technology to Reduce Army Base's Energy Use to Zero
Historically, the base has housed a variety of Army units, both garrison and training. It is about to receive elements of the 1st Armored Division as that division transitions to basing in the United States from its Cold War era bases in Germany. Estimates are that the base will grow from around 9,000 troops to around 34,000 troops, along with their families.
Bliss has been selected by the Department of Defense as a showcase for green energy projects. The announced goal is "Net Zero", meaning that the base will produce as much energy as it uses. With 330 days of sunshine on average each year, the base is making solar power a core strategy. Wind generated power and a unique potential for geothermal power generation are also in the works. Insulating buildings, a "smart grid" approach to electrical distribution and other innovations are also planned.
New building on the base has also allowed the use of some new technology. Solar light pipes have been installed to light to the interiors of buildings where windows are not possible. These devices bring natural light into a building without using electricity.
In West Texas, water is also an environmental concern. Fort Bliss has partnered with the City of El Paso in the construction and operation of a reverse osmosis desalination plant. The plant provides about 25% of the potable water needs of the area, using underground water supplies that would otherwise be unusable due to their mineral content. Xeriscape, the process of landscaping for the resources and climate of a region, is actively in use at Fort Bliss. The intent is to use less water and to feature plants native to West Texas. Major General Howard Bromberg, former base commander, in a recent interview talked about the use of gray water to irrigate a golf course, with the pumps powered by windmills on the course.
With the "Net Zero" program in its infancy, Bliss has taken about 3 megawatts of use off the grid at this time according to MG Bromberg. That represents 10-15% of the base's energy bill. The "smart grid" work is nearly complete, and the base is reviewing its options for converting its vehicle fleet to electrical operations.
It is not just about the environmental effects. The military recognizes that its ability to protect the United States is energy dependent. Energy is a national security issue.
Published by Charles Simmins
Charles Simmins is a native Western New Yorker with nearly thirty years of experience at senior level accounting positions in non-profit and for profit organizations. He was a volunteer firefighter, and a vo... View profile
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