Performance Analysis of Natural Gas Cooling Technology at Warner-Robins AFB, GA, Fiscal Year 2000

High-efficiency gas-fired cooling equipment is readily available for commercial, institutional, and industrial facilities. Natural gas engine-driven chillers have higher coefficients of performance of any natural gas cooling system and can serve as energy efficient alternatives for new electric chillers. This study monitored the performance of natural gas cooling technologies operating at Warner-Robins Air Force Base, GA during the fiscal year 2000 cooling season and compared the actual performance data to theoretical values. Energy and demand cost analyses were performed to compare natural gas cooling technology with the energy and demand costs of old and new electric chillers. The study determined that, at the monitored base, the costs for the natural gas used by the engine-driven chillers were lower than electrical costs used by old and new electric chillers, resulting in an energy cost savings.