Demonstrating Relative Cost-Benefits for the Reuse of DoD Historic and Non-Historic Properties Using Scientifically Derived Data

EW-200931

Objective

This project addresses how to improve the Department of Defense's (DoD) military construction decision making to fully capture the true costs and benefits associated with the sustainable reuse of historic and non-historic buildings at military installations. The objectives are to (1) expand existing DoD Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) protocols and guidelines to specifically incorporate the value of sustainability and energy conservation systems and accurately determine the cost of DoD building renovations when compared to new construction alternatives; (2) determine the dollar savings in energy conservation generated by reuse of existing materials and infrastructure and by reduction of water use through renovations of existing buildings; and (3) investigate the potential for budgetary or monetary incentives to fully value reuse of existing structures, including possible DoD participation in a carbon offset program.

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Technology Description

Based on scientifically derived data, the project team will formulate a new template LCCA analysis as well as protocols and guidelines and a decision tree reflecting best management practices for the reuse of DoD's large inventory of historic and non-historic properties. In conducting its demonstration, the project team will utilize applicable building standards, including the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation for historic properties. The project team will evaluate and select energy conservation and sustainability technologies appropriate for the demonstration reuse projects. A commercially available carbon footprint calculator will be incorporated into the LCCA to estimate and assign a value to the reduction in DoD's carbon footprint achieved through reuse of existing buildings, if any. Finally, the new LCCA template and protocols will be transferred to DoD and recommended for incorporation into ECONPAK (DoD's existing LCCA analytical software) as well as guidelines developed for preparing economic analyses of military construction projects for reusing existing buildings.

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Benefits

This project will bridge gaps in data and protocols related to economic analysis of the reuse of existing historic and non-historic buildings. It will provide DoD with LCCA protocols that will demonstrate and validate the cost of renovating historic and non-historic DoD properties at the planning level. By 2013, DoD plans a footprint reduction of approximately 62 million square feet of its real property. The LCCA will help cultural resource managers and facilities disposal staff determine which buildings may be most economically reused for mission readiness. This project will also provide DoD a mechanism to measure its success in meeting federal mandates calling for significant improvement in energy efficiency and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at military installations. Without a LCCA program that comprehensively measures total energy and relative carbon footprint reduction associated with renovation of existing buildings (both historic and non-historic) compared to new construction, it would be difficult for DoD to meet stated energy conservation and sustainable objectives within the next few years. Finally, the project will investigate the potential for DoD to monetize any forecasted energy savings by tapping markets that trade carbon offset credits or by other federal budgetary incentives. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2011)

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Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Mr. David Shiver

Bay Area Economics

Phone: 510-547-9380

Fax: 510-547-9388

Program Manager

Energy and Water

SERDP and ESTCP

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.