The Inevitable Demo Of The Great Green Fleet

In 2009, Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced five aggressive energy goals to reduce the Department of Navy’s (DON’s) consumption of energy, decrease its reliance on foreign sources of oil, and significantly increase its use of alternative energy.

The purpose of these energy goals is to improve our combat capability and to increase our energy security by addressing a significant military vulnerability: dependence on foreign oil.

One of the five energy goals is to demonstrate and then deploy a “Great Green Fleet,” a Carrier Strike Group fueled by alternative sources of energy, including nuclear power.

The Great Green Fleet is named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet, which helped usher in America as a global power on the world stage at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Prior to deploying the Great Green Fleet in 2016, the Navy conducted a demonstration during the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world’s largest international maritime exercise.

The demonstration illustrated and evaluated the performance of “drop-in replacement” advanced biofuel blends and certain energy efficient technologies in an operational setting.

Advanced Biofuel Blends

The ships and aircraft will be powered by alternative fuel, either nuclear or advanced biofuel blends. The biofuel blends are 50-50 mixtures of biofuel (made from used cooking oil and algae) and petroleum-based marine diesel or aviation fuel.

Approximately 450,000 gallons of 100% “neat” biofuel were purchased in 2011 in preparation for the Great Green Fleet demonstration.

 ■Navy surface ships will be powered using 350,000 gallons of hydroprocessed renewable diesel (HRD-76) blended with an equal amount of marine diesel (F-76).

 ■Navy aircraft will burn 100,000 gallons of hydroprocessed renewable jet fuel (HRJ-5) blended with aviation fuel (JP-5).

Investments in an alternative to foreign sources of fuel will help the Navy and the nation become less dependent on foreign oil, and less subject to volatility in oil prices that can directly affect our readiness.

Energy Efficient Technologies

The Great Green Fleet demonstration will also include the following maritime efficiency measures:

 ■Solid State Lighting – Use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to save energy, especially when replacing incandescent fixtures or in colored lighting applications. LEDs also last longer than an incandescent or fluorescent fixture, reducing maintenance.

 ■Gas Turbine On-Line Water Wash – Allows compressors to be washed while the engine is running (normally, engines are shut down during this activity). This reduces maintenance, improves starter life, and reduces fuel consumption by keeping the compressor section of the gas turbine cleaner.

 ■Shipboard Energy Dashboard – Provides real-time situational awareness of energy demand associated with equipment. This allows the crew to minimize a ship’s energy consumption and increase its efficiency while meeting system performance and reliability requirements.

 ■Smart Voyage Planning Decision Aid – Sends messages to ships with optimized routing plans for both ship safety and fuel savings.

 ■Stern Flaps – Modifies the flow field under the hull to reduce drag, turbulence, and thus, reduce overall hull resistance.

Changing the Way We Think About Energy

As a Navy, we are grooming a new generation of ‘energy warriors’ through incentives and education.

As an example, the Incentivized Energy Conservation (i-ENCON) program encourages efficient ship operations during underway missions and supports the Secretary of the Navy’s efforts to reduce total energy consumption on Navy ships. In 2011, the i-ENCON program helped achieve over 1.1 million barrels of fuel in underburn, a cost avoidance of over 11% that would pay for an additional 56,500 steaming hours. The USS PRINCETON, USS CHAFEE and USS CHUNG HOON underburned enough fuel to win this prestigious award.

This program was so successful that the Navy recently launched its Aircraft Energy Conservation Program (known as Air-Encon) to optimize fuel consumption by the Navy’s 3,700 aircraft.

By changing the way we think about and use energy, we will continue to be the most formidable fighting force the world has ever known.

———-

Information for this story provided by greenfleet.dodlive.mil

NAS Jax Completes Rooftop Solar Power Generating System

By Clark Pierce, Editor, Jax Air News, Naval Air Station Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Engineers and technicians gathered at Naval Air Station Jacksonville's Hangar 1122, May 1, to celebrate completion of the station's largest rooftop solar power generating system.

Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (HSL) 42, Executive Officer Cmdr. Derek Fleck, whose squadron is a tenant of the hangar, cut the ribbon at the ground-level DC inverter array.

"This system will contribute about 25 percent of the hangar's annual electricity consumption," said Lt. j.g. Luis Velazquez, construction manager of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast solar project. "A total of 2,534 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are installed on the roof of Hangar 1122 located near the St. Johns River seawall."

The $5.7 million project was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and was completed ahead of schedule.

Fleck said he was honored to cut the ribbon for the project. "Our hangar's solar roof epitomizes the alternative energy commitment of SECNAV (Secretary of the Navy) Ray Mabus and CNO (Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan) Greenert - who are determined to change the way our Navy produces and procures energy."

William Allen is the field engineering manager for Atlantic Contingency Constructors of Norfolk, the contractor for the project.

"The PV panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) voltage that is fed into combiner boxes from which electric cables run to the ground-level inverters. The inverters turn the DC into alternating current (AC), which then flows into the hangar's mechanical room where it's distributed through the base power grid," explained Allen.

"There are meters in the mechanical room that monitor how the inverters are performing. Hangar 1122 is also on the base central monitoring system in order to determine exactly how much power is being generated."

Velazquez concluded, "This project contributes to achieving the Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus' energy goal of increasing alternative energy afloat and ashore - and by 2020 - producing at least 50 percent of shore-based energy requirements from alternative sources."

The hangar is home to three MH-60R Seahawk helicopter squadrons (Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 "Spartans," HSM-74 "Swamp Fox," and HSL-42 "Proud Warriors") and the rooftop PV construction activity did not impact their operational readiness.

Energy Dashboard to Help Fleet Reduce Fuel Consumption

From Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) installed the Energy Dashboard proof-of-concept system in USS Kidd (DDG 100), April 2.

Energy Dashboard is one of several shipboard energy efficiency initiatives that provides Sailors with a real-time assessment of energy usage and recommended actions to reduce fuel and electrical power consumption.

"Energy Dashboard is similar to the systems in today's newer vehicles that show drivers their instantaneous miles per gallon, allowing drivers to modify their driving behaviors to maximize fuel efficiency," said Glen Sturtevant, Team Ships director for Science and Technology. "Energy Dashboard ties into other shipboard computer software systems to tell Sailors the same thing about their ship."

In addition to Kidd, NAVSEA has installed the Energy Dashboard on board USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95). USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) will receive the system by August.

Energy Dashboard uses the existing Integrated Condition Assessment System to collect data from shipboard equipment, calculate and display instantaneous and daily energy consumption rates.

"Energy Dashboard will raise shipboard situational awareness of how certain engineering plant line-ups and equipment affect fuel consumption rates, and will build ownership in energy conservation efforts by showing how the actions instantly and dramatically affect consumption rates," said Bob Steele, director, Fleet Readiness Engineering Office.

Energy Dashboard is anticipated to be fielded in all surface ships by 2017.

Navy Seeks Renewable Ocean Energy Technology at Industry Forum

By Darrell E. Waller, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Public Affairs

KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii (NNS) -- The Navy's energy future was the focus of a two-day NAVFAC Conference and Industry Day held March 26-28 at the Koa Malina Officers Club, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), Kaneohe Bay.

The Navy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, will select three ocean energy power developers to occupy Wave Energy Test Site (WETS) moorings at Kaneohe Bay.

"The Navy is committed to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and is leading the way on the development of viable, renewable energy sources," said NAVFAC Pacific Vice Commander Capt. Pete Lynch. "NAVFAC Pacific is working on ways to make the Navy's shore infrastructure more energy independent and strengthen our energy security position. The ocean is an untapped resource and possible source of renewable energy. The conferences we are hosting will help us learn the new ocean energy technology and systems that exist today."

Presentations were received from more than forty energy companies worldwide, and renewable ocean energy information was shared between private industry and Navy engineers. The conference and industry day was intended to spotlight the latest in ocean energy technical development and, in partnership with private industry, utilize innovative technologies to achieve the Navy's energy goals. Knowledge sharing was mutually beneficial to all participants.

"We learned so much during today's presentations, especially in the one-on-one meetings with industry," said Bob Fredrickson NAVFAC Engineering Service Center (NAVFAC ESC) division director, Ocean Facilities Department. "Many of the companies had technologically advanced ideas, some of which looked very promising. We also spoke with developers who are relatively new to the field, and we realize they still need to advance their research and development efforts before they are ready to become contenders for testing at WETS. Nevertheless, all input was welcomed since we are hoping to add an ocean renewables component to the Navy and Marine Corps overall energy mix."

The first day of the conference involved the WETS Industry Forum and dialogue on wave energy initiatives at MCBH. The Ocean Energy and Sea Water Air Conditioning Industry Forum was the main topic on the second day, with discussions on diverse renewable ocean energy technologies, including offshore wind, ocean thermal energy conversion, wave, tidal, current, and ocean compressed air energy storage.

Navy and NAVFAC engineers will review data gleaned from the original Request for Information process and all Industry Day responses before moving ahead to the next phase - selection of contractors for this project.

Bidders must submit revised proposals and letters of commitment by mid-April. The actual design of new moorings and power cables is expected by the end of 2012, and the Navy is currently working with local residents and stakeholders on the completion of an environmental assessment for the proposed K-Bay site.

Solar Energy in Yokosuka (VIDEO)

Navy All Hands update takes a look at how Naval Base Yokosuka is harvesting Solar Energy in order to save the Navy more than $300,000 annually.

Navy Energy Programs to be Showcased at 2012 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

From Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division Public Affairs

The U.S. Navy will showcase its energy initiatives during the 2012 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit, Feb. 27-29, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.

Representatives from the U.S. Navy will provide information on the Navy's energy efficiency and alternative energy initiatives at booth #801. In addition, Marine Col. Bob ("Brutus") Charette, U.S. Marine Corps Expeditionary Energy Office, will provide remarks during the Summit.

Energy initiatives that increase combat capability and energy security are critical components of the Navy's energy strategy, which emphasizes judicious use of resources to reduce the Navy's dependence on petroleum.

"Our dependence on foreign oil and inefficient use of energy burdens our military and chips away at our combat effectiveness. We need to reduce inefficiencies and dependence on one fuel, thereby reducing our vulnerability overseas and at home," said CDR Jim Goudreau, Director of the Navy Energy Coordination Office.

ARPA-E, the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, is a Department of Energy (DOE) agency that focuses on research and developing transformational technologies that will provide national energy and economic security. The summit aims to develop tangible energy solutions by bringing together key players from across the energy field, including researchers, government agencies, and industry.

Keynote speakers at this year's event include former President Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Dr. Arun Majumdar, Director of ARPA-E.

ARPA-E has been working on innovative energy solutions with serious implications to the Navy's mission capabilities, including energy storage in stationary and mobile batteries and the Hybrid Energy Storage Module for shipboard use.

To learn more about the summit visit http://www.energyinnovationsummit.com/. Follow daily updates on Twitter (#NavalEnergy and #eis12) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/navalenergy). To learn more about the Navy's energy programs visit www.greenfleet.dodlive.mil.