USAG Schweinfurt
Schweinfurt Energy Saving Program, Building Assessment Campaigns
U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, Germany, aims to reduce its impact on the environment and to plan for development in a sustainable manner. Special emphasis is being placed on reducing energy consumption. Energy-use reduction is one of the garrison’s strategic goals and also one of the significant aspects of its Environmental Management System. To achieve this goal, the garrison undertook a multitude of initiatives that included infrastructural improvements and building assessment campaigns.
The first initiative the garrison implemented was a thermographic imaging program. Thermographic cameras were used to detect infrared radiation. Since infrared radiation is emitted by all objects based on their temperatures, it was possible to see where varying levels of heat were produced in a building. Once heat sources could be better visualized, control measures for heat loss could be evaluated and implemented. The garrison then conducted a blower door study. Blower door studies measure density, allowing for the identification of structural weaknesses. As a third step, the garrison combined the thermographic images with an assessment of the building materials for a number of selected buildings. This was done to determine if there was a relationship between materials used and building heat loss. Finally, temperature data from all campaigns were then used to prioritize upgrades to building insulation and structures, thus reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
- Mission USAG Schweinfurt is committed to meeting its strategic goal and reducing its environmental bootprint.
- Environment Performing building assessment campaigns assisted the garrison in managing one of its environmental aspects and reducing energy consumption.
The garrison estimates that the actions taken to correct these findings from their initiatives will save an average of at least six percent of annual energy use. A 6 percent reduction in energy per year would achieve a savings of approximately $400,000 per year.
Chief, Environmental Division, USAG Schweinfurt Phone: DSN 354-6795