Evaluation of Solar Air Heating at United States Air Force Installations

214 Pages·2009·2.58 MB·English

by  David S. Brown

AN EVALUATION OF SOLAR AIR HEATING AT

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS

THESIS

David S. Brown, Captain, USAF

AFIT/GCA/ENV/09-M03

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR UNIVERSITY

AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED
The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official
policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United
States Government.
AFIT/GCA/ENV/09-M03

AN EVALUATION OF SOLAR AIR HEATING AT
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS

THESIS
Presented to the Faculty
Department of Systems and Engineering Management
Graduate School of Engineering and Management
Air Force Institute of Technology
Air University
Air Education and Training Command
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Master of Science in Cost Analysis

David S. Brown, BS

Captain, USAF

March 2009

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED.
AFIT/GCA/ENV/09-M03

AN EVALUATION OF SOLAR AIR HEATING AT
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS

David S. Brown, BS
Captain, USAF

Approved:

//signed// 18 Mar 09
Lt Col Eric J. Unger (Chairman) Date

//signed// 18 Mar 09
Dr. Charles A. Bleckmann (Member) Date

//signed// 18 Mar 09
Dr. Alfred E. Thal, Jr. (Member) Date
AFIT/GCA/ENV/09-M03

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the use of solar air heating at U.S.
Air Force installations. Specifically, this thesis analyzed Unglazed Transpired Collector
(UTC) technology, more commonly known as SolarWalls®. This thesis sought to
determine if UTC systems are an economically and environmentally viable technology
which Air Force energy managers should include in their portfolio of alternative energy
options.
This research question was answered through the use of case studies and life-
cycle cost analysis. Case studies were performed at various U.S. military installations
which have already utilized UTC systems to provide a consolidated source of lessons
learned. A life-cycle cost analysis was performed to quantify the potential cost savings at
various Air Force installations to help Air Force energy leaders determine if the
technology should be further implemented, and if so, which installations should be
considered for future UTC use. The quantitative results of this evaluation determined
that the Air Force could realize significant economic and environmental benefits from the
use of UTC technology. The information gathered from case studies can help ensure that
future users of UTC systems utilize their systems in the most effective manner possible.
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AFIT/GCA/ENV/09-M03

This work is dedicated to my father.

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Acknowledgements

I first want to thank my fiancée for all of her love, support, patience, and
understanding throughout my thesis effort. I cannot imagine going through this endeavor
without her.
I would also like to thank my thesis advisor, Lt Col Eric Unger, whose guidance
throughout my research and writing process was invaluable. I am also grateful for the
contributions and exceptional feedback from my readers, Dr. Charles Bleckmann and Dr.
Alfred Thal, Jr. In addition, I would like to thank Capt Ryan Kristof for his assistance in
helping me better understand the civil engineering side of my research.
I am also indebted to Mr. Steve Rowley for being such a gracious host during my
site visit and for his wealth of knowledge about SolarWalls®. I also appreciate all of the
time and effort taken by those who participated in my case studies.

David S. Brown

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Table of Contents
Page
Abstract .......................................................................................................................... iv
Dedication ....................................................................................................................... v
Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ vi
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................... vii
List of Acronyms............................................................................................................. x
List of Figures ............................................................................................................... xii
List of Tables ............................................................................................................... xiv

I. Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1
Background on Alternative Energy in the U.S. Air Force ......................................... 1
Balance of Power ................................................................................................. 2
Energy Security ................................................................................................... 3
Air Force Dependency on Oil .............................................................................. 4
Energy Costs........................................................................................................ 7
Pollution and Greenhouse Gas Emissions .......................................................... 10
Problem Statement ................................................................................................. 13
Research Objective................................................................................................. 14
Approach/ Methodology ......................................................................................... 14
Scope ..................................................................................................................... 14
Significance ........................................................................................................... 15
Chapter Preview ..................................................................................................... 15

II. Literature Review .................................................................................................... 17
Renewable Energy ................................................................................................. 17
Related Legislation................................................................................................. 18
Executive Orders ............................................................................................... 18
Energy Policy Act of 2005 ................................................................................. 20
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 ................................................. 21
Air Force Policies................................................................................................... 23
LEED Certification ............................................................................................ 23
Ventilation Requirements................................................................................... 25
Alternative Energy Funding ................................................................................... 27
Energy Conservation Investment Program ......................................................... 28
Performance Based Contracts ............................................................................ 30
Air Force Renewable Energy Programs .................................................................. 32
Solar Air Heating ................................................................................................... 34
History ............................................................................................................... 35
Description of UTCs (or SolarWalls®) .............................................................. 36
Configuration During Cooling Days................................................................... 39
Heat Stratification .............................................................................................. 40
Other Applications ............................................................................................. 42
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Use at Military Installations ............................................................................... 43
Potential Benefits of UTCs ................................................................................ 43
Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) Savings ...................................................................... 44
LEED Certification Points .............................................................................. 44
Previous Research .................................................................................................. 45
Heat Transfer Theory ......................................................................................... 46
Evaluation of UTC Implementation ................................................................... 52

III. Methodology ........................................................................................................... 56
Case Studies ........................................................................................................... 57
Quantitative Assessments ....................................................................................... 58
RETScreen® Software ....................................................................................... 59
Base Selection ................................................................................................... 61
Energy Modeling ............................................................................................... 63
Financial Analysis ............................................................................................. 66
Net Present Value (NPV) ................................................................................ 67
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) .......................................................................... 68
Savings-to-Investment Ratio (SIR) .................................................................. 69
Payback Period ............................................................................................... 69
Emission Analysis ............................................................................................. 71
Sensitivity Analysis ........................................................................................... 72

IV. Results and Analysis ................................................................................................ 73
Case Studies – Findings and Recommendations ..................................................... 73
Architectural Theme .......................................................................................... 75
Installation ......................................................................................................... 76
Noise and Comfort ............................................................................................. 78
Maintenance and Reliability ............................................................................... 79
Control Systems ................................................................................................. 80
Design and Configuration .................................................................................. 82
Education and Awareness .................................................................................. 85
Monitoring UTC Performance ........................................................................... 86
Additional Comments ........................................................................................ 89
Quantitative Assessments ....................................................................................... 91
Base Selection Summary ................................................................................... 91
Assumptions and Calculations ........................................................................... 94
Financial Analysis Results ............................................................................... 106
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emission Results ....................................................... 116
Analysis of UTC Performance Drivers ............................................................. 120

V. Conclusions and Future Research .......................................................................... 128
Review ................................................................................................................. 128
Recommendations and Conclusion ....................................................................... 129
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Limitations ........................................................................................................... 130
Future Research ................................................................................................... 131

Appendix A: National Ambient Air Quality Standards - Tolerance Levels .................. 132

Appendix B: U.S. Air Force Alternative Energy Initiatives ......................................... 134

Appendix C: Solar Absorptivity of Various SolarWall® Colors ................................. 152

Appendix D: Case Study Interview Questions ............................................................ 153

Appendix E: Sensitivity Analysis ............................................................................... 155

Bibliography ............................................................................................................... 187

Vita ............................................................................................................................. 197

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