Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, Cherry Point

Feb. 13, 2001

The Naval Aviation Depot Cherry Point, N.C., is seeing lower electric bills thanks to a new Facility Management System (FMS). The new system provides centralized monitoring and control of dispersed energy-consuming equipment within all the buildings at the depot.

According to Mike Moore, electrical engineer in the Electrical/Electronic Engineering Branch, AIR-6.3.614, the new system will be used to perform all the energy-saving functions of its predecessor. The new FMS also has the capability to monitor and control processes, control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, monitor fire alarm panels, monitor environmental concerns, provide active maintenance notification via the depot's pager system and will bring pertinent information to the desktop via the depot's intranet.

The new system replaces the Wessoe/Coggins Energy Management and Control System (EMCS), installed in the early 1980's. The old system managed energy consumption by shedding non-essential electrical loads during peak usage similar to the systems found in many homes today controlling water heaters and heat pumps. When functioning properly, the EMCS operation was transparent to the customer and saved the depot money.

The new system goes above and beyond, Moore said.

"The Energy and Environmental Engineering Division, will use the FMS to monitor energy usage (electricity, water, steam) and to monitor and measure environmental concerns," Moore said. "One such environmental compliance issue is to measure the differential pressure drop across filters in various paint booths to appropriately determine filter replacement schedules.

The FMS is currently operated and maintained by the Plant Services Division.

"The Plant Engineering Division, AIR-6.3.610, will be using the system to monitor and measure facility engineering concerns," Moore said. "One such engineering issue is to monitor electrical transformer loading."