Through our joint venture worldwide Energy Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for A/E Energy Services our energy team regularly consults with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) on energy-related projects ranging from entire campuses, to individual buildings, to Smart Grid potential, to alternative fuel vehicles. As NAVFAC considers the benefits and obstacles to replacing existing, gas-powered vehicles with electric alternatives for Joint Region Marianas (i.e., Naval Base Guamand Andersen Air Force Base), they commissioned Clark Nexsen for an electric vehicle fleet study and to make recommendations on the scale and potential cost of this undertaking. In the case of this comprehensive study, our energy experts have conducted multiple trips to Guam to review and assess existing infrastructure for its capacity to integrate electric vehicles and associated charging stations, as well as to interview base staff and discuss how to implement these vehicles into the existing government vehicle fleet.
Key challenges include environmental impacts, constructing on historic grounds with extensive unexploded ordinance, visual impacts to the island, and renewable energy sources and grid power. With NAVFAC potentially considering the replacement of up to 250 passenger vehicles, the cost and energy savings potential are substantial.
The outcome of this study resulted in recommendation for a pilot project be implemented at one candidate site to assess the potential success of electric passenger vehicles and charging stations on the island of Guam. Given the unknowns of both cost and the impact of the island environment on infrastructure such as charging stations and the vehicles themselves, this pilot will enable NAVFAC and Clark Nexsen to more accurately project the benefits of a full-scale implementation.