Solar array project at Fort Rucker completed

After almost a year of labor, a renewable and alternative energy source project for Fort Rucker has been completed.

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On Thursday, April 20, Fort Rucker and Alabama Power Company held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of the solar energy array facility located on post that will produce up to 10 megawatts of energy.

An additional solar energy facility has also been completed at the Anniston Army Depot.

The two facilities, owned by Alabama Power, will generate electricity that will flow back into the power grid as part of the company's generation portfolio.

Alabama Power will retain the rights to the energy and the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the project to serve its customers with renewable energy or sell the energy and the RECs together or separately to third parties for the benefit of customers.

The facility will provide benefits to all Alabama Power customers because of long-term power contracts between the company and the two military installations. Both Army facilities will continue to purchase electricity from Alabama Power under separate and existing electric service agreements.

The solar project is the result of an Army directive that requires installations to prioritize water and energy security requirements.

Garrison Commander Col. Shannon Miller said the project presents Fort Rucker with the opportunity for further growth and to provide economic support to its surrounding Wiregrass communities.

"One resource that does not immediately come to our minds when determining the needs success in our Army is energy," Miller said. "When you think about it, the Department of Defense is the largest consumer of energy in the United States government.

"The majority of energy consumed in the Army is at the installation level. Energy generation reduces our dependence on petroleum, and it mitigates potential supply chain disruptions. This 10-megawatt solar facility behind me is the first step toward energy resiliency and enables us to continue our mission during long-term outages."

Miller said the project will also bring Fort Rucker one step closer to meet the Army's goal of producing one-gigawatt of energy by 2025.

Michael McGhee, executive director of the Army Office of Energy Initiatives, said the celebration of the project, which commenced operations near Earth Day, came at a fitting time.

"I note that the Army's 2017 Earth Day theme is, 'Sustain the mission, Secure the future, Army readiness depends on it,'" he said. "We are reminded today that renewable and alternative energy produced on or near Army installations increases energy security and resiliency for both installations and the local power grids by increasing distributed energy generation sources and diversifying the supply chain for power. This project helps to sustain the mission and secure the future for the Army and the Wiregrass."

The OEI executes large, renewable and alternative energy projects, such as the Fort Rucker/Alabama Power solar array facility.

McGhee said the Army directive that prioritized energy and water security affects critical and home missions. He also described the project as one that is beneficial to the Army and local economies.

"This solar energy project behind me will assist in sustaining Fort Rucker's vital missions and will increase assured access to resource supply and improve the electrical infrastructure condition," McGhee said. "Most importantly, this project will improve energy security and resiliency, which underwrites your Army's unique ability to rapidly deploy, employ and sustain military forces around the globe and defend our nation and its interests.

"Today, the electricity generated by this project flows into the electricity grid that feeds Fort Rucker and the surrounding communities; however, to further increase energy security and resiliency at Fort Rucker, we hope to see a future project here that would install smart controls and electricity storage capability to turn power on at the base in the event of a grid disruption."

John Kelley, director of forecasting and resource planning for Alabama Power, said helping Fort Rucker with its energy needs is very important to the company.

"It's important to Alabama Power that Fort Rucker becomes a cost-effective operation and meets their goals," he said. "We want them to be here for a long time. This is all part of what the U.S. Army said they wanted to have happen, so we wanted to be there with them in this and other ways to help them meet whatever goals they have."

Jim Heilbron, senior vice president and senior production officer for Alabama Power Company, said his company is proud to work together with Fort Rucker to help the installation meet its energy needs.

"A little less than a year ago, we came to this site, and there wasn't much here," he said. "Now you can see that in less than a year, we're here producing renewable energy for the military to meet their energy initiatives.

"Alabama Power is very proud to partner with the military, both here at Fort Rucker, at Anniston Army Depot and anywhere else that they need energy security and renewable energy to meet their energy needs. We look forward to a very lasting and long partnership with the military, both here at Fort Rucker and at the other installations."