Scaling (Way) Up: Changing the Energy Behaviors of a Million Service Members

Eileen Westervelt, PE, CEM, QCxP, LEED-AP, Senior Research Mechanical Engineer for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Eileen Westervelt is not thinking small. Working with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, she has embarked on an effort to promote and increase energy-saving behaviors across the entirety of the U.S. Army.

To this effort she brings over 25 years of experience in the energy field. A seasoned, professional engineer, she is passionate about making facility energy savings real and persistent, and engages the people-aspect of energy systems to ensure lasting results. Her observations on the human side of facilities energy management have been featured in classes and conferences for the Building Commissioning Association; the Behavior, Energy and Climate Change Conference, and a brand new chapter on behavior change in the, Guide to Energy Management, which is something of a sacred text in the energy management field.

Today we’ll find out how the Army’s culture can create hurdles to adopting conservation behaviors as well as provide some surprising opportunities. Along the way we’ll find out what the Army’s utility bill is (you know you want to know this) and even learn how energy management can save lives in the field.

Eileen presently works as a senior research mechanical engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers at the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL), in Champaign, IL. Past adventures for Eileen include running her own energy consulting business, where one favorite project was the retro-commissioning analysis of Memorial Football Stadium at the University of Illinois; serving as a Senior Engineer and Director of Retro-commissioning for the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois; and previous employment stints at CERL where Eileen made significant contributions to the Army Energy Strategy for Installations, Army Energy Security Plans, and technology demonstration projects.

Eileen holds a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois. She is a registered professional engineer, a certified energy manager, a qualified commissioning process provider, and a LEED-accredited professional.

Correction:

In the episode it was stated that there are “about 3,000 buildings at Fort Bragg, NC.” It is more likely about 10,000 with approximately 5,000 residential buildings, alone. There are in fact many thousands of buildings on some installations, with a full complement of functions like schools, offices, hospitals, recreation, housing, retail spaces, churches and family communities. Ft. Bragg has an on-post day population of over 70,000 people, and they have everything they need to thrive on post.

Connect:

CERL Website - https://www.erdc.usace.army.mil/Locations/CERL/

More Info:

Featured Report - Enhancing Army Energy Culture with Behavioral Approaches

Musical Interlude for this episode: Back Country

Stan Sitnik – Ukulele
Alina Plourde – Vocals, English Horn
Todd Rogers – Violin, Viola