Hi-tech centre helps save energy and money
4 Mar 10
The Royal Navy has reduced its energy usage in the South West through an initiative with Defence Estates (DE) and its regional contractor, Debut Services, saving more than £200,000 in fuel bills while also helping protect the environment.
A biomass boiler in use at Royal Marines Base Poole in Dorset
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
An innovative scheme using advanced computer software has helped cut energy bills and carbon emissions at ten Royal Navy sites across the region.
The Strategic Energy Management Programme (SEMP), launched in April last year, uses SMART metering to allow energy managers to spot opportunities for saving both fuel and money. It follows a successful two-year pilot Energy Management Initiative between the Navy, DE and Debut Services in the South West.
At the programme’s heart is the Coordinated Energy Bureau. Consumption data from more than 700 electricity, gas and oil meters is remotely collected overnight. Staff then use specialist bespoke software and their expert knowledge to analyse consumption. This enables the necessary remedial action to advise site where wastage has occurred.
DE’s head of Central Programme Office for Energy Matt Foley said:
"We have built on the success of our Energy Management Initiative to develop innovative techniques to make yet more energy savings.
"Savings made through SEMP allow the Royal Navy to follow the most cost effective energy reduction strategies. This saves money for the public purse and helps reduce the emission of carbon dioxide."
"Savings made through SEMP allow the Royal Navy to follow the most cost effective energy reduction strategies. This saves money for the public purse and helps reduce the emission of carbon dioxide."
Matt Foley
SEMP has helped DE, Debut Services and the Royal Navy to improve energy management systems across the sites. For example, data analysis by the Energy Bureau team for a building at RM Stonehouse, in Plymouth, enabled energy savings of around 80 per cent to be achieved in that building.
The programme has also identified areas where investing in new equipment would help improve energy efficiency. Upgrades already undertaken by Debut Services include installing Combined Heat and Power Units (CHP) at CTC RM Lympstone swimming pool; roof and pipework insulation at RNAS Culdrose and loft insulation at RM Chivenor. A high-efficiency boiler is being installed at RNAS Culdrose.
Debut Services, a joint venture between Babcock International Group and Bovis Lend Lease, has been involved from the beginning of the project - both as facilities contractor for the sites and in setting up the Energy Bureau. Energy savings achieved for the Royal Navy, through all parties working together, has exceeded expectations.
SEMP contributes to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across its properties by 15 per cent by 2010/11.
"This innovative scheme has not just helped us to save energy. It has allowed us to build strong business cases and secure welcome investment in energy efficiency projects across Royal Navy bases in the South West. "
Royal Navy estates environmental safety officer John Whiteland
Royal Navy estates environmental safety officer John Whiteland said:
"This innovative scheme has not just helped us to save energy. It has allowed us to build strong business cases and secure welcome investment in energy efficiency projects across Royal Navy bases in the South West."
The following sites are covered by this energy efficiency initiative: RNAS Yeovilton, RNAS Culdrose, RM Chivenor, RM Stonehouse, RM Norton Manor Camp, RM Royal Citadel, RM Bickleigh, RM Turnchapel, the Commando Training Centre at RM Lympstone, and the Amphibious Training Centre at RM Instow.
Last year the Ministry of Defence reached its target to reduce energy consumption across the Defence estate by 12. 5% two years ahead of schedule. In addition to meeting the 12. 5% energy reduction targets, the MOD has also secured funding of £8. 5m from the Department for Energy and Climate Change for in excess of 30 energy saving projects, to be completed within this financial year.
This will deliver annual savings to MOD of £2m and carbon savings of 7,000 tonnes. Some of the £8.5m funding is to be used to deliver oil meters at over 40 of the MOD's largest oil consuming sites and 50 electricity meters at six sites in Germany.