Evaluating Gas-Fueled Cooling Technologies for Application at Army Installations.
Abstract
Electric consumption at DOD fixed facilities accounts for about one-third of the energy consumed, but about two-thirds of the total fixed facility energy expenditures and 30 to 60 percent of the total electric bill, primarily due to summer air conditioning loads. Decreasing electricity use through conservation and/or fuel switching can effectively reduce energy costs at Army Installations. Natural gas cooling technologies may now be viable alternatives for specific applications since both absorption and engine-driven chillers have become available in nearly the same capacities as electric chillers. This study developed a simple method to evaluate gas cooling technologies as alternatives to conventional electric vapor compression cooling. A worksheet was developed to help users evaluate gas cooling technologies by entering local electric and gas rates, approximate cooling load profiles for building(s) being evaluated, equipment and installation costs, equipment performance and maintenance requirements, and other system parameters. The completed worksheet determines approximate system costs, annual operating costs, and life cycle costs for electric, absorption, and engine-driven chillers. Incremental simple payback and Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) are also calculated for absorption and engine-driven chillers using electric chillers as the base case for comparison. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA304704
Entities
People
- Gerald L. Cler
Organizations
- Construction Engineering Research Laboratory