MAY 15, 2015, WASHINGTON (NNS) – Naval District Washington (NDW) is teaming up with the Civil Engineer Corps Officer School (CECOS) to proctor the Secretary of Navy (SECNAV)-approved Facilities Energy Management Course at the Washington Navy Yard, May 18-22.
The five-day course is designed to provide students fundamental energy management training and guidance on topics ranging from basic awareness, energy and water management practices and audits to projects and execution, use of Energy Star products and project designs, metrics, renewable energy and new technologies.
“It’s a mandatory course for all energy managers to attend every three years to ensure each installation has a qualified and certified energy manager (CEM), yet open to all who support their respective energy and water programs” said Lt. Cmdr. Keith Benson, NDW energy director. “Ultimately the course provides a comprehensive energy framework which resembles the SECNAV’s priorities from an energy strategy and management perspective.”
He explained the course is an excellent networking opportunity and is the first step towards meeting the goals of the 2005 Energy Policy Act, 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act as well as Executive Order (EO) 13693, signed March 19, 2015, which addresses Federal sustainability over the next decade.
Personnel eligible to participate are those in energy management, public works, facilities support, engineers, planners, contracting officers and other facility management professionals.
“This course benefits NDW by having people learn about our NDW energy policy and energy focus areas for which to apply their time and resources, in building a comprehensive energy program to improve readiness and mission support,” said Benson. “It will also introduce people to other energy managers around the region and industry professionals, so we can leverage skillsets and help each other solve challenging energy related issues.”
The course also helps to promote and achieve NDW’s energy policy statement in building a sustainable energy culture.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to understand the focus areas and add value to our energy culture by taking positive actions,” said Benson.
The NDW energy policy outlines five energy pillars to include energy culture, energy information, energy efficiency, renewable energy and alternative fuels, and energy security, which serve as our focus areas to guide progress and energy awareness through persistent leadership.
“The NDW energy policy and five energy pillars are an important aspect to our program and other federal programs, which will be discussed during the course,” said Benson.
Some of the topics include detailed instruction on advanced meter infrastructure (AMI), measurement and verification (M&V), energy project financing and development, alternative fuels, renewable energy, smartgrid, energy reporting, as well as roles and responsibilities for building energy monitors (BEMs), installation energy managers (IEMs) and other key players, such as supported commanders across the region. Opening remarks are to be provided by Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith, commander, Navy Installations Command.
“The building energy monitors (BEMs) are fundamentally the eyes and ears to the installation energy program, signed in writing by installation commanding officers; they are also our “energy warriors” leading the daily efforts with public works at the building level, to maintain fully operational and efficient buildings,” said Benson.
There are more than 40 confirmed personnel attending the course.
“We are enthusiastic with our current roster and the diverse commands represented, for which we can continue to increase energy awareness and support across NDW and within each respective installation,” said Benson.
NDW has reduced its energy intensity by up to 27% from the 2003 baseline and continues to make improvements across all five energy pillars, ensuring we set the standard for energy excellence in every facet of shore operations. NDW was awarded with both the FEMP and GreenGov Energy Program Awards for energy excellence.