Energy Conservation

Question 1

In October 2010, the CNO signed the Navy Energy Vision (ref c), setting the goal to be a Navy that:

Answer 1

• Values energy as a strategic resource.
• Understands how energy security is vital to executing the Navy’s mission.
• Is resilient to any future energy challenge.

Question 2

The US Navy Aviation Energy Conservation (Air ENCON) Program is designed to optimize fuel consumption by naval aviation units—without adversely impacting safety or mission execution—to ensure the right amount of fuel is available for sustained mission readiness. The Air ENCON program pillars are:

Answer 2

• Developing energy awareness throughout the Naval Aviation community
• Building a culture of innovation and sharing of best practices
• Eliminating energy-consuming inefficiencies throughout the organization

Question 3

Short-Cycle Mission and Recovery Tanking (SMART) Overview:

Answer 3

Short-Cycle Mission and Recovery Tanking (SMART) is intended to offset typical operational inefficiencies that arise from the use of Super Hornet aircraft as aerial tankers.

Question 4

Short-Cycle Mission and Recovery Tanking (SMART) Overview:

Answer 4

Traditionally, aerial tanking operations were performed by S-3 aircraft. When the Super hornet replaced the S-3, most aerial refueling and tanker operations remained constant despite the fact that as a more powerful aircraft, the F/A-18 burned more fuel while loitering and therefore required more fuel to operate and had less fuel to give mission aircraft.

Question 5

To remedy the fuel consumption, CVWs tested what is known as ‘yo-yo” tanking, describe the process:

Answer 5

Staggers tanker cycles to provide fuel to overlapping recovery (inbound) and mission (outbound) tactical aircraft. This limits the tanker’s required loiter time, cutting fuel burn by up to 65% per sortie saving the Navy approximately 10.5 million gallons of fuel and over $40 million annually.

Question 6

Different variations of SMART:

Answer 6

• Pure SMART: Using only a single centerline aerial refueling store (ARS)
• Hybrid SMART: Employing 3-wet (ARS plus two external fuel tanks) tankers for mission tanking and an ARS-only tanker for recovery tanking if needed.
• Hybrid SMART plus: Utilizing a 5-wet mission tanker and an ARS only or 3-wet recovery tanker.

Question 7

Light Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting:

Answer 7

Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are replacements for incandescent and fluorescent lighting fixtures. SSL lamps are arrays of individual LEDs producing light at the same quality and brightness as legacy lamps with an increased lifespan.

Question 8

Reducing energy consumption in the workplace:

Answer 8

• Turn off computers and computer monitors at night and during the day when they are not being used for extended periods of time.
• Turn off lights when exiting a space.
• Use natural daylighting and reduce or eliminate artificial lighting when possible.
• When weather permits, open windows in place of air conditioning. Turn off air conditioners when space is not occupied for an extend period of time.
• Use task lighting when lighting is only needed in one small area.
• Keep air compressors and other shop equipment off when not in use.
• Always keep doors and windows closed when air conditioning is on.
• Make sure sleep mode features are enabled on all office equipment.