Emerging Technology Demonstrations for Energy Savings and Resilience at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL)

To strengthen energy resilience and modernize critical infrastructure, GTI Energy is partnering with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) and Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC-EXWC) on a multiphase initiative to upgrade thermal and infrastructure and improve overall energy and water efficiency at Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL).

The effort focuses on replacing aging steam systems and deploying high-efficiency, low-carbon systems for water heating, space conditioning, and backup power across a variety of building types, from food service and barracks to office space.

Technologies Under Evaluation

• Integral heat recovery warewashers with savings in water use
• High-capacity tankless water heaters
• Gas absorption and electric heat pumps for water heating and space conditioning
• Dual-fuel heat pump packaged rooftop units (RTUs)
• Grid-independent PV-powered boilers
• Distributed carbon capture
• Hydrogen-ready space and water heating equipment

Measured Results

• 92% water savings (1.58 million gallons) and 83% energy savings from two heat recovery warewashers for large bachelor enlisted quarters (BEQ) galleys. This reduced annual operating costs for each BEQ galley by $38,000 and decreased water and energy use by 1,900 MMBtu.
• Tankless water heating solutions reduced BEQ energy use by 24% (15,0000 therms/year) with over $8K annual operating cost savings. Cost-effective space heating systems reduce energy usage by 21% (4,500 MMBtu/year) and over $100K/year (51.6%) compared to the baseline steam system.
• Detailed technical and economic assessment of the only commercially available distributed carbon capture design, including laboratory results, lessons learned, potential benefits, and performance limitations.

Planned

• Dual-fuel heat pump with supplemental gas furnaces space conditioning solutions that can be optimized for demand reduction or cost savings.
• Hydrogen readiness evaluations and battery-backed PV integration with existing mechanical room equipment.