Eglin looks for 'greener' energy through biomass

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anthony Jennings
  • 96th ABW/PA
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  What will you do once gas prices reach $25 per gallon? How will you cook, shower or see without lighting in the comfort of your own home when there isn't any power? These are pressing questions that need to be addressed now rather than later.

Regardless of what popular belief may be, fossil fuel and other nonrenewable sources of energy won't last forever and if national security is to be ensured, a new avenue of safe, reliable and more eco-friendly energy must be found.

Within two years Eglin looks to establish a "green" renewable source of energy through a biomass power plant that would not only use the resources found here, but would also reduce dependence on outside sources to meet daily power requirements.

Of the 60 megawatts of energy consumed daily by Eglin, three percent is renewable. Plans are currently under development to create a 30 megawatt biomass power plant projected to meet 50 percent of Eglin's energy needs and benefit the environment at the same time. This plan will eliminate the "middle man", reduce the cost of creating and transporting energy and diversify Eglin's energy portfolio.

"When we buy most of our energy from outside sources, that sends a dollar to someone else," said Col. Dennis Yates, 96th Civil Engineer Group Commander. "If we could keep those dollars at home, become an energy producer and even export some of it to others, that would only make us more self-sufficient."

The plant will produce energy by harvesting Eglin forest resources.

Through Forestry Management here, approximately 70 thousand acres of wooded forests are burned and cleared to reduce wildfire dangers and to reestablish the growth of less invasive species of trees such as the long leaf pine tree, which is a natural habitat for the red cockaded woodpecker.

The biomass power plant would burn the timber that has been cleared from Eglin's forest resources to boil water and create steam that will turn turbines to make energy.

"We already send some of our trees to a paper mill in Alabama not to make paper, but to produce steam to run the paper mill," he said. "So I just said 'Gosh, if they can do it, why can't we?'"

With certain sources of energy foreseen to dwindle in the future, Colonel Yates poses the question "why not use the resources within our own backyard now; especially if it would help maintain homeostasis within the local ecosystem while establishing energy efficiency and independence?"

"We want to do something positive for energy independence but we don't want to harm the environment in the process," said Colonel Yates.

The plant will have a positive impact on Eglin in several different ways.

Having an energy source that is reliable will improve Eglin's energy security. Importing fuel from outside the country is subject to changes in price. If times get hard, they could deny us access to their assets, said Colonel Yates.

Increasing the energy portfolio will reduce the vulnerability of a dwindling supply of energy. Terrorists with the intention to cripple the military's ability to defend the nation would likely target assets that keep the military operational. If the number of sources of energy is increased, it would make it that much harder for enemies to endanger the mission.

"We have to diversify our energy output, otherwise it could be a national security risk," said Dan Robeen, 96th Civil Engineering Squadron, Chief of the Engineering Flight. "There is no silver bullet that will ensure that our assets are safe ... in order to establish energy independence, we must increase our energy portfolio."

Helping the environment sustain equilibrium is imperative if Eglin is to maintain the diverse wildlife located here. Keeping the growth of biomass under control would also substantially reduce the chances of wildfires, which is a major concern in Florida.

According to Colonel Yates, the Air Force is the leading federal user of renewable energy. This speaks volumes for its concern for finding environmentally friendly outlets of energy. However, this should not be taken as a relief that someone cares about the environment, but more as an example to follow. He stresses the fact that it isn't just up to the Air Force to think about the environment.

"Really it is what we do as individuals that will impact the fate of our planet," Colonel Yates said. "Simple things like carpooling, recycling and changing your lights to fluorescent bulbs factor in to making this a better place for our children to grow up."