The Naval Hospital Okinawa is set to undergo a major transformation in energy efficiency through an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) as part of a Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) project. While the hospital is a significant participant located on Marine Corps Base Camp Butler (Camp Foster), the project also encompasses other installations, including Camp Courtney, Camp Hansen, Combined Arms Training Center (CATC) Fuji, and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, as well as additional areas of Camp Foster. The project, which focuses on cutting energy consumption and increasing energy resiliency, is poised to make the hospital a model of sustainability within the Department of Defense.
Central to the project is the installation of combined heat and power (CHP) natural gas-fired reciprocating engine generators. These generators are expected to deliver 5 MW of continuous power to two electrical feeders on Marine Corps Base Butler (Camp Foster). This innovative approach not only addresses the base's energy needs but also significantly reduces the hospital’s carbon footprint.
In addition to generating electricity, the CHP system will capture exhaust gases from the engines and repurpose them into two heat recovery steam generators. Heat recovered from engine jacket cooling water and exhaust gases will produce an estimated 52.5 million pounds of steam and 482 million gallons of hot water annually. The steam and hot water will be channeled to two 644-ton absorption chillers, a high-pressure steam header, and a hot water header dedicated to the hospital’s operations.
This heat recovery process is anticipated to offset the hospital's annual consumption of 342,000 gallons of fuel oil, currently burned in three steam boilers annually. By replacing the hospital's current fuel oil consumption, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be achieved. Moreover, the absorption chillers will meet 100% of the hospital's chilled water demand, further cutting electrical energy usage.
The planned performance period for this ambitious project is set for 2028-2052, ensuring long-term sustainability and energy savings. The expected reduction in energy consumption is substantial, with a 6.86 million kWh decrease in annual electrical usage, equating to a 30.88% reduction. The project will also reduce fuel oil usage by 342,000 gallons annually, contributing to a total energy reduction of 70,609.6 MMBtu per year—a 57.73% decrease from current levels.
This initiative not only underscores the Naval Hospital Okinawa's commitment to sustainability but also sets a precedent for future energy-saving projects across military installations worldwide. With a footprint of nearly 500,000 square feet, the hospital’s successful implementation of this project could serve as a blueprint for similar facilities seeking to enhance energy efficiency, energy resiliency, and reduce environmental impact.
As the project progresses, it is expected to contribute significantly to the Department of Defense’s broader goals of energy resilience and sustainability, ultimately benefiting both the environment and the operational capabilities of U.S. military forces stationed in the region.
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