Naval Support Activity Naples is replacing outdated high pressure sodium bulbs in street lamps this week with solid-state lighting (SSL) as one of many efforts at the base to reduce energy-related costs at the installation.

As energy is critical to the Navy's ability to fulfill its mission, NSA Naples is using efficient energy technologies at the base to act as a force multiplier.

As energy costs currently represent approximately half of the installation's budget, reducing those costs helps to free up money for operations.

Solid-state lighting uses LEDs, or light emitting diodes, that produce light at the same quality and brightness as incandescent or fluorescent lighting, but uses less energy over a longer lifespan. The Navy worked to ensure that this type of lighting also meets military specifications for use both ashore and aboard ships. As the lifespan of LED lighting also exceeds that of traditional lighting, LED lighting also helps cut down on maintenance costs.

"Conventional lights are replaced with LEDs (light emitting diodes) for several reasons. LEDs are more efficient, to produce 800 lumens of light, an incandescent bulb consumes 60 watts, a CFl (compact fluorescent) 13 to 15 watts, and an LED only 6 to 8 watts," NAVFAC Assistant Regional Manager Daniel Lougen said. "LEDs produce virtually no heat, requiring less safety protective accessories. LEDs last six times longer than CFLs and over 30 times longer than incandescent bulbs. While the initial cost of an LED can be five times, or more, greater than that of a CFL, in the long run it is a prudent energy saving investment."

The transition to LED lighting is one of many initiatives taking place throughout the Navy both ashore and at sea. Using LED lighting at sea saves approximately 1.8 megawatts of energy. For U.S. Navy ships, this translates into around one million gallons of marine diesel fuel saved per year.

At NSA Naples, LED lighting may be one of the most visible changes, but it is just one of many energy conservation measures being instituted by the command. For example, in 2010, solar panels were installed atop a parking garage at Capodichino. With a capacity of 300 kilowatts and the ability to generate 345,000 kW hours per year, this system produces enough energy for an average of 35 U.S. homes. The installation also has sensors in buildings that will shut-off the lights, more efficient appliances, and conduct mandatory energy conservation briefs at area orientation for new arrivals.

The LED lighting project at NSA Naples Capodichino, estimated to save approximately 140,000 kWh, which translates to a savings of about $30,000 per year, with a 10 year payback. Considering that the lifecycle of LED lighting (11 years) is more than three times longer than old lighting system, which only lasted about three years, NSA Naples is projected save an estimated $410,000 during the lifecycle of this project.

As a facility that uses operating procedures, energy efficiency and distributed generation technologies, NSA Naples is a Great Green Fleet installation.

Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus named the Great Green Fleet to honor President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet, which helped usher in America as a global power on the world stage at the beginning of the 20th Century. The GGF is ushering in the next era of Navy energy innovation and highlight the benefits of energy efficiency and alternative energy to combat capability, operational flexibility and energy security.

For more news from Naval Support Activity Naples, visit www.navy.mil/.