Visitors Now:
Total Visits:
Total Stories:
Profile image
By Science and Technology
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views

Now:
Last Hour:
Last 24 Hours:
Total:

Saving a Little Energy Adds Up

Friday, September 7, 2012 17:40
% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.

(Before It's News)


By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Erik Luebke,
Navy Public Affairs Support Element-East Detachment Europe
NAPLES, Italy (NNS) — The Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Public Works Department (PWD) has been making small changes over the past several years at Capodichino, Support Site, Lago Patria and Carney Park bases in an effort to conserve energy.
This push to save energy in its various forms, such as water, electricity and gas, stems from President Barrack Obama’s current energy policy.
“We aren’t just conserving energy because we have to,” said Luca Guadagnuolo, the utility and energy management (UEM) branch head. “It’s also a part of our environmental duty. By conserving energy, we help save the planet.”
The UEM team already has many low-cost initiatives in place, including low-flush toilets, motion-sensor lights in offices and replacing low-efficiency light bulbs with ones designed to use less power. However, not all of UEM’s energy-saving plans are so small. In 2010, PWD installed solar panels on top of the Capodichino west parking garage which will replace a portion of the electricity used by the base with energy from the sun.
“We are just waiting for the paperwork right now,” said Utilitiesman 2nd Class (SCW) Kyle Ciopryna, a PWD energy manager. “When we turn those solar panels on, they should pay for themselves within just a few years, allowing us to spend that money on other projects, like placing more solar panels on the other garage.”
Another program UEM has in place calls for motivated people to take the roll of building energy and water monitor (BEWM). BEWMs are volunteers who promote and demonstrate good energy use, such as closing open windows when air conditioning is on and turning off lights or running water taps.
“We’ve got so many low-cost initiatives in place to cut back energy use that the BEWM program has become one of our major ways to conserve energy,” said Ciopryna. “We provide them with support and training in ways that they can help reduce energy consumption and energy waste. We usually have anywhere from 60 to 70 volunteers at any given time.”


Source:

Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

Top Stories
Recent Stories

Register

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.