The objective of this project is to conduct a feasibility study and develop a design approach for a thermal energy network (TEN) at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, RI to demonstrate its performance and benefits. This effort addresses the Department of Defense’s (DoD) need for secure and uninterrupted access to energy for all military operations. TENs are a cost-effective and responsive approach for achieving domestic energy independence and energy source diversification. Specific technical objectives of the TEN feasibility study include:  

• Thoroughly assess various technologies for heat sourcing and transfer to determine the most viable options for specific application at identified demonstration sites.
• Evaluate cost savings of an implemented TEN compared to existing traditional building-level heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems (HVAC) systems.
• Calculate the increased energy efficiency of an implemented TEN compared to current utility consumption rates.
• Evaluate back-up electrical power demands at reduced loads, calculate reduced fuel dependence and assess use of diverse thermal energy sources. 

This feasibility study proposes to analyze the implementation of a TEN at NAVSTA Newport, focusing on a near-ambient temperature reservoir network approach to provide efficient heating and cooling. The approach will employ dynamic simulation software, specifically tailored for such networks, and incorporate detailed spatial considerations for a cutting-edge analysis. The project will attempt to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of a TEN by evaluating its energy and life cycle cost (LCC) performance, assessing compatibility with existing building HVAC systems, investigating the potential for waste heat integration, and developing design concepts for both a full-scale and a smaller subset implementation. Success will be determined by the delivery of a robust feasibility assessment that provides a clear understanding of the TEN's potential to enhance the installation's energy resilience and security and offering a realistic pathway for future implementation under NAVSTA Newport's specific operational and climatic conditions. 

The DoD will benefit from implementing the Leidos TEN feasibility assessment methodology and technology in the following ways:  

• Energy cost savings: TENs have the potential for significant reductions in LCC due to optimized network topology.
• Energy and water reductions: TENs enable the efficient transfer of thermal energy and often operate at low temperatures, maximizing utility of shared resources and minimizing long-term maintenance expenses.
• Energy and supply chain resiliency: Through energy storage and diverse energy source integration, TENs can reduce reliance on traditional fuel supply chains, enhancing energy independence.

(Anticipated Project Completion - 2028)