At A Glance: Fort Bliss UESC Completion
- Location: Fort Bliss, Texas
- Project Cost: $58 Million (Third-Party Financed)
- Projected Savings: >$130 Million over 24 Years
- Key Upgrades: Microgrid, LED Lighting, Water Security
- Partner: New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC)
REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – A utility company contracted by the U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (Huntsville Center) recently completed a $58 million third-party financed agreement project at one of the Army’s largest installations.
Huntsville Center’s Utility Energy Services Contracts (UESC) project at Fort Bliss, Texas, implemented three Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs): LED lighting upgrades, water security, and resilience through microgrid and energy storage. It is predicted to save the installation more than $136 million over the lifespan of the 24-year contract.
For the Fort Bliss project, New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC) was selected as the Utility Contractor.
The UESC contract also calls for NMGC to perform operations and maintenance on the microgrid ECM, allowing Fort Bliss Department of Public Works maintenance resources to be spent on other activities while allowing the garrison to focus its appropriated funds on mission critical requirements.
The return for NMGC is payment from the resulting savings over the length of the contract. The project’s goal is to provide resilience through the microgrid and energy storage systems to power 40 percent of its critical facilities. The contract also addresses water infrastructure and security needs while decreasing energy and water consumption.
A project of this magnitude didn’t come without challenge, said Aubrey Glynn, project manager for this UESC. Working closely with Fort Bliss Department of Public Works (DPW) staff, particularly the garrison’s energy manager, Marivi Travieso, the UESC Project Delivery Team (PDT) was able to overcome challenges with schedule constraints, pricing, material availability, design around existing utilities and permitting.
To get around the congestion, Fort Bliss Water Service Company (FBWSC) planned and designed a 20-inch diameter waterline to run across major roadways, existing sanitary sewer mains, storm drains, high pressure gas mains and other conflicting utilities.
Upon construction completion FBWSC had to make additional improvements to the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and chlorination facilities to be able to seamlessly transition from water purchased from El Paso Water (EPW) utility to FBWSC well water on a moment’s notice. These improvements provided much needed ease of use to the FBWSC operations team to meet system demands on either water source.
Since the project completion in 2024 the monthly water purchase by Fort Bliss from El Paso Water reduced on average by 49%, a decrease that directly correlates with cost savings.
The success of the Fort Bliss project, Glynn said, is in generating energy savings. However, she said that it took buy-in from a lot of different stakeholders to ensure the project’s accomplishment.
“Our success is a product of the solid working relationships built between Huntsville Center, Fort Bliss’ Department of Public Works, Fort Bliss Garrison leadership, ID, Army Installation Management Command, Army leadership and our utility team partners, NMGC and ESG,” Glynn said.
Frequently Asked Questions: Fort Bliss Energy Resilience
What is a microgrid?
A microgrid is a local energy grid with control capability, which means it can disconnect from the traditional grid and operate autonomously. This provides resilience during power outages.
How does third-party financing work?
In a UESC, the utility company provides the upfront capital for the energy improvements. The Army then repays the utility over the contract term using the cost savings generated by the improvements.
Who manages the project?
The U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville (Huntsville Center) manages the contract and project delivery, working in partnership with the installation’s Department of Public Works.
