The Defence Forces reach decarbonisation targets through energy upgrade measures
The Defence Forces undertake energy upgrades including solar panels, EV charging infrastructure, heat pumps and new heating systems.
Background
The Defence Forces is one of the largest energy users in the public service, making up approximately 7% of public sector emissions. They currently operate 17 full time operational military installations including army barracks, a naval base, an aerodrome and training camps, 8 Naval vessels, 26 aircraft and a land-based transport fleet of 1800 vehicles including armoured vehicles, heavy goods vehicles, (HGVs) and light admin vehicles throughout the country. The organisation employs approximately 8,200 personnel, but following the Commission on the Defence Forces the aim is to grow to 11,000 full time military personnel.
Project summary
The Defence Forces has been certified to ISO50001 since 2011 and is one of the first militaries in the world to be certified to this standard. They have a full energy management system in place which is operated and controlled by staff. They have installed significant RES capacity in the form of 3.3MWp of solar arrays. The Corps of Engineers have worked closely with the Transport Corps to roll out an EV charging infrastructure which can be used to charge service vehicles and employees EVs. Significant retrofit works have also been carried out, with notable examples including H-Block McKee Barracks, an architecturally significant building that received an award from the RIAI for work on its restoration, while also improving the BER rating with an air to water heat pump.
We’re preserving history here, so everything we do by way of upgrades; we’re trying to be sympathetic to the buildings
Project outcomes
The Defence Forces has reduced its emissions from utilities by 29% since the baseline and has made emissions reductions of 20% in road transport. Progress continues to gain pace, as the organisation pledges to do “everything, everywhere, all at once” to achieve emissions reductions while still maintaining its operational capabilities. The retrofit works carried out have had a transformative effect on the barracks. Buildings that were previously in poor repair and not fit for purpose, are now well insulated and provide a comfortable living or working environment for personnel. The introduction of the new EV charging infrastructure has given DF staff access to a high-quality charging network and has been an incentive for them to consider purchasing an EV. The network has also alleviated concerns of transport drivers about range anxiety and has encouraged them to move towards greater usage of EVs for administrative journeys. Improvements carried out on the Building Management Systems have helped Utilities Managers to identify waste or technical issues much earlier and has led to significant savings in some locations.
Future plans
The majority of 2030 emissions reductions targets will be met by reducing utilities emissions through retrofitting the existing building stock and moving away from fossil-based heating systems and improving operational control through improved energy data analysis. The Infrastructural Development Plan will deliver all new infrastructure to an NZEB standard, allowing them to expand staff numbers without impacting on emissions reductions. Though operational land, sea and air fleets are still limited to traditional fuels, zero-emissions vehicles will replace administrative vehicles for use within the State, and alternative fuels will be used wherever possible. RES will continue to be rolled out across installations, with a target of 7 MWp of Solar PV to be installed by 2030. Staff will be empowered to achieve these targets by the Senior Energy Executive, who will continue to provide leadership to the organisation to improve our operational control.