Objective
The objective of this research and technology demonstration is to enhance resilience of Army National Guard (ARNG) Readiness Centers by ensuring solutions are well-matched to the Guard’s unique mission requirements for these locations. The problem addressed by this project is two-part: 1) the need for a customized risk assessment approach; and, 2) the need for Readiness Center-targeted technology solutions. The Army’s current assessment and planning approach does not work well for ARNG Readiness Centers as the current approach is based on the installation-scale. Technology-based solutions, resulting from the current, installation based Installation Energy and Water Plan (IEWP) process, trend toward large-scale, campus-wide solutions, which are impractical for smaller sites with small energy loads and peak water demands. The technology solution sets for Readiness Centers must be operational within hours and last for weeks at low power and water needs, and at extremely low cost. This objective will be achieved through completion of a descriptive meta-analysis of all fiscal year 2021 ARNG IEWPs and development of a customized risk assessment and planning approach and decision support tool for future ARNG Readiness Center Energy and Water Plans. The tool will be transitioned to Energy Managers with written guidance and supporting webinars. A short educational video for the customized approach will be prepared in order to enable Construction and Facility Management Office (CFMO) staff and contractors self-train prior to updating the IEWP for its ARNG locations. As part of this Phase I effort, the project team will conduct analysis of multiple technology solutions to identify candidate technologies with wide-spread applicability to improving the resilience of Readiness Centers, based on mission priorities and utility deficiencies documented in the ARNG IEWPs. A Demonstration Plan will be prepared in support of a Phase II “Go” decision.
Technology Description
The Phase I technology is a customized assessment and planning tool for Readiness Centers incorporating geographic dispersion analysis, mission redundancy, climate change and natural hazard risks, and it will inform future development of Readiness Center Energy and Water Plans.
Benefits
There are several benefits to Army and Department of Defense at the completion of this project Phase I demonstration activity. The first benefit is to gather lessons learned from the completed ARNG IEWPs, which will otherwise not be possible due to lack of staff availability. Applying the lessons learned to create a supplemental tools and guidance for an ARNG-specific IEWP process is a second benefit. As a result of this research, future energy and water plans for Readiness Centers will reflect the unique needs of these assets. Another benefit of the technology research will be the creation of a short-list of promising technologies to support mobile, single or two-building applications for State CFMOs to pursue. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2025)