Salem, MA – As federal agencies move toward sustainability, the Department of Defense (DOD) faces some of the highest hurdles, as well as the greatest potential rewards. The single largest energy user in the US, the DOD has a large opportunity to save money, and also to serve as a full-scale proving ground for new technologies that combine building energy efficiency with energy recovery and renewable energy generation to improve energy independence and security.
The DOD has turned to Bioengineering Group to provide expertise for energy management training. The new energy efficiency initiative requires that facilities become energy efficient by looking at various energy conservation measures, and energy auditors be familiar with the new technologies, experienced with government approved methodologies, and hold appropriate third-party certification. Much confusion exists about rapidly evolving mandates governing LEED green building standards, Guiding Principles for High Performance and Sustainable Buildings, net-zero energy usage for new or majorly renovated buildings, and other directives.
At a recent US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), North Atlantic Division (NAD) Sustainable Energy Conference, Al Hurt, Bioengineering Group’s Vice President of Sustainable Energy Innovation with national recognition, was a plenary speaker where he reviewed new technologies, case studies, and best practices. H. Farrell McMillan, Chief, Construction/Operations Division of the USACE New England District stated “One of my goals for the conference was to initiate discussions to improve energy efficiency for NAD Operations, projects, facilities, and Military Construction customers. Al’s facilitation and panel participation not only provided insight into integration of industry and government sustainable engineering knowledge, but generated thought-provoking discussions with our conference audience.”
Bioengineering Group also directly supports the Naval Civil Engineer Corps Officers School’s Environmental Education & Training Division. The web-based training program is available to attendees at Naval centers across the world. The Sustainability Awareness Training program provided by the Bioengineering Group consists of two courses: Sustainability and You: Facilities and Installation – Policy to Practice and Sustainability and You: Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED