Building resilient infrastructures one panel at a time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Cary Smith
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  Here at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Airmen are working with Italian contractors to reduce the 31st Fighter Wing’s environmental footprint by using more renewable energy resources.

Since 2010, Aviano has incorporated energy efficient plans for new and future infrastructure to meet the Air Force’s renewable energy plan.

“An environmental footprint is the measure of the impact a person or organization has on the overall health of the environment,” said 1st Lt. Nicholas DeJulio, 31st Civil Engineer Squadron construction deputy flight chief. “In an effort to decrease our footprint, we aim to have 20 percent of the base’s energy used originate from renewable resources by 2020.”

Renewable resources can include thermal, solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, ocean and hydroelectric energy.

“Some of the main projects we are working on for the Aviano Renewable program involve thermal insulation for roofs and exterior walls, solar-heating systems for domestic hot water production and solar panels to provide electricity,” said Riccardo Antonini, 31st CES construction civilian contractor. “Solar-heating systems for the dormitories were completed in March, 2015, they provide hot water without the use of natural gas during the summer.”

The solar-heating system receives energy from sunlight, converts the solar energy to electrical energy and uses that energy to heat water in the dormitories.

“The new system saves more than 370,000 cubic feet of natural gas per year,” said Antonini. “The reduction in natural gas use will prevent more than 340 cubic feet of carbon dioxide emissions per year.”

Antonini added that the completed heating system is expected to earn Aviano a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The LEED certified buildings are resource efficient, use less water and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are doing our part to reach the Air Force’s goals by creating what we call resilient infrastructures,” said DeJulio. “Our plan is to constantly improve the base’s efforts with more projects as 2020 approaches.”

A current project near completion involves covering more than 6,800 square feet in photovoltaic panels, more commonly known as solar panels. The solar panels, installed on building rooftops, produce electricity for base operations.

“The panels provide green energy directly on base, saving us $26,000 per year in electricity costs,” said Antonini. “Panels were installed on the fire department roof, Large Vehicle Inspection Station facilities and there are plans for other panel installations as well.”

Future projects include panel installations on the Exchange, hangars and warehouses.

These projects will help Aviano continue to Deter, Defend, and Develop while helping the AF reach its goal of making a positive environmental impact by 2020.