Photo By Master Sgt. Latonya Kelly | Maj. Gen. Brian Alvin (center), commanding general, 63d Readiness Division poses with...... read more read more
TUSTIN, Calif. -- Maj. Gen. Brian Alvin, commanding general, 63d Readiness Division was presented with an 81,851.17 dollar check at the Sgt. James Witkowski Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mountain View, Calif., Nov. 7, 2017, by the Savings by Design program for the participation of the U.S. Army Reserve center located in Tustin, Calif.
Savings by Design is a program that has been in place since the mid 1990’s, and the ARC in Tustin, Calif., is the first Army Reserve facility to be awarded with a financial incentive’s check in southern Calif., for participating in the Savings by Design program within the Southern California Edison (SCE)utilities company. Being presented with the SCE’s incentive for participating in the Savings by Design program is a reflection on the 63d RD and U.S. Army Reserve’s vision, commitment, and efforts in promoting the importance of efficient, self-sustaining, and energy saving buildings and facilities for healthier tomorrow.
The Savings by Design program seems like a simple process but it takes a group of subject matter experts to assure that all the requirements are met prior to the construction of the building participating in the program.
“The utility company meets with the design team to discuss the basic design of the facility, and the design team makes technological suggestions on how to improve the efficiency of the design and equipment. There are two types of approach; the systems approach and the whole building approach,” said Peter J. Giannotti, Account Manager for SCE Utilities Company.
To successfully optimize Tustin ARC’s functionality and efficiency the whole building approach was used. Looking at the project from whole building approach point of view allowed the design teams the ability to determine what resources should be used and how they should be implemented from the ground up.
“The design team provides recommendations of the most efficient measures to reduce the energy use of the building,” said Giannotti.
Developing a plan utilized to construct a building is based on recommendations provided by the Savings by Design team in collaboration with the organization interested in constructing a more efficient and environmentally friendly building. The suggestions provided are to construct an improved design able to reduce the carbon footprint by simple implementations of the right energy saving materials used in combination with the right technology while staying within the authorized building codes.
“There are certain codes that must be met under title 24. What our team does is make recommendations in regards to title 24 to construct a more efficient building than the state requires,” said Jeanne Boyce, Principal Manager in the Government Customer Segment of the SCE utilities company, and continued on “From that point we work with the customer and come up with the best solution for their operation and energy goals.”
In collaboration with Jacob’s Engineering Architectural Firm and SCE’s savings by design team, the 63d RD’s team was able to implement energy conservation measures prior to the construction and development of the Tustin ARC.
“It is important to recognize the hard work that’s done as you’re well aware. We all get so busy in our everyday lives that we forget. This was a significant accomplishment, SCE works with all customers to help them design and implement energy savings projects into their buildings,” said Giannotti.
According to Giannotti customers that sign up into the program, there is slight hesitation on the whole building approach at first due to the fact that they are looking at first costs instead of looking at the life of the building and how the monthly bills may have an impact on the project as a whole.
“You should look at the fact that you will pay the electric bill and the gas bill every month,” said Giannotti and continued “Instead let’s think further along, and that’s what this program does.”
As a result of the pre-planning amongst the separate teams, the ARC will consume 26 percent less electrical energy, 50 percent less gas or natural gas energy. Saving the building over 35,000 dollars a year in overall energy costs stated Giannotti.
Acceptance of the more than 81,800 dollar SCE’s incentive check which is sent to U.S. Secretary of Treasury for proper distribution of funds, is proof of how one of the 63d RD’s priorities is being sound and responsible steward of the environment and communities on which the facilities within seven-state region stand. In pre-planning the types of materials and designs for the facilities with local utility companies and other environmental agencies, the 63d RD has once again proven its dedication and that of the U.S. Army Reserve’s commitment to a better tomorrow and a greener environment.
| Date Taken: | 11.07.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.24.2017 18:47 |
| Story ID: | 256375 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Proactive planning for a greener tomorrow, by Rosario Urquieta, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
