Tripler Army Medical Center Recognized for Energy Efficiency Efforts
Posted December 19, 2014
HONOLULU - Tripler Army Medical Center received a $270,000 incentive from Hawaii Energy during a check presentation, recently, for the installation of energy-saving chillers at the TAMC commander’s lanai.
The incentive helps offset the cost to upgrade the hospital’s central plant with two chillers and a comprehensive new electronic control system.
The upgraded central plant, which provides chilled water to cool the hospital, is expected to reduce energy usage by an estimated 616,140 kilowatt hours per year — the equivalent to saving about $150,000 in energy costs based on $0.2434/kwh.
Col. David Dunning, commander, TAMC, accepted the recognition on behalf of the hospital.
“As the largest military medical facility in the Pacific, it is important that we are good stewards of the energy resources within our local community. This conservation effort lessens fossil fuels and correspondingly lowers greenhouse gas emissions, making TAMC a clean energy ally to the state of Hawaii,” said Dunning.
The new plant will also operate more reliably for the hospital.
TAMC’s facility management staff worked with technology experts at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Huntsville Center, in Alabama, to identify project partners, including Johnson Controls, leading similar energy and technology updates for other federal agencies.
Prior to the upgrade, the central plant was running on two different systems with some of the functions controlled manually by TAMC plant operators. The updated chillers will be managed by a direct digital controls electronic control system, giving plant operators a real-time look at the plant’s performance to make operation easier and more effective.
“We proudly salute the U.S. Army for its commitment to a cleaner energy future by adopting energy conservation and efficiency measures at the hospital,” said Lily Koo, business program specialist, Hawaii Energy. “We look forward to collaborating with TAMC on future energy-saving projects.”
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This press release was written and distributed by Tripler Army Medical Center.
About Tripler Army Medical Center
Tripler’s mission is to provide patient-centered, outcomes-based health care and to drive the transformation to a System for Health for beneficiaries in the Pacific Region. In addition, TAMC educates, trains and provides a ready medical force to enhance health and save lives. TAMC’s vision is to serve as the oasis of health and wellness for America’s heroes and families in the Pacific Region. Visit www.tamc.amedd.army.mil/ or www.facebook.com/TriplerArmyMedicalCenter.