CCAD awarded for energy conservation excellence

The Corpus Christi Army Depot was recognized for its continued energy and water conservation efforts by being selected as a winner of the 2018 Secretary of the Army Energy and Water Management Award during a ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, August 23.

Since 1979, the SECARMY EWM Awards have recognized installations, small groups, and individuals who make significant achievements in energy conservation and water management in support of Army readiness.

Victor Lopez, director of infrastructure and risk management, and his CCAD energy team: Scott Bryant, division chief; Roger Ceballos, general engineer; Shawn Smith, mechanical engineer; and Mark Krog, contractor, Siemens Government Technologies, were recognized during the ceremony as the team instrumental in the completion of conservation projects at the depot.

The depot received the award in recognition of its use of an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC), saving the government more than 50 million units of energy, with a cost avoidance of more than $1.8 million from October 2016 to October 2017.

Savings from the contract led to a 40 percent reduction in electricity use and a 49 percent reduction in water use across the depot, which was an 18 percent improvement from the previous years, according the award citation.

Numerous changes at CCAD have helped in the conservation efforts, including improvements to the chiller plant, lighting improvements, utility monitoring control system modifications, new water measures and an HVAC retro-commissioning, said Lopez.

The contract was a long processes, met with challenges, but effective thanks to a collaboration between the energy team and CCAD employees.

“(CCAD) has a terrific energy team, but it really is a team effort,” said Lopez.

All employees at CCAD are encouraged to join the conservation effort, he added. It’s their efforts that help the energy team ensure CCAD continues to be a leader in Army conservation.

Commitment to conservation projects and new ideas are examples of efforts that create a future for the depot, said Col. Gail Atkins, commander, CCAD.

Contracts like the ESPC is one of many still being conducted at the depot, said Scott Bryant. With almost half a dozen more ongoing, the energy team is always looking for ways to conserve energy, water and gas.

“We are always looking to improve energy practices,” said Atkins.

Conservation projects are more than accolades for CCAD, added Bryant. Awards and recognition are appreciated, but efficient production, while providing energy security, is our number one goal.