US Department of Defense looks for green innovation

US Army photo by Sgt Jeffrey Alexander

Not previously known as a driving force for green developments, the US Department of Defense (DoD) is increasingly looking for renewable energy technologies for use on its bases.

The Department has established programmes to help find and develop technologies from the private sector for its use.

The move is part of an overhaul of the DoD's energy use, announced in the Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) Report, published this month.

"The Department will… speed innovative energy and conservation technologies from laboratories to military end users. The Environmental Security and Technology Certification Program uses military installations as a testbed to demonstrate and create a market for innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies coming out of the private sector and DoD and Department of Energy laboratories… The Department is improving small-scale energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at military installations through our Energy Conservation Investment Program," says the QDR Report.

Following an executive order from its commander in chief, president Obama, the DoD is to cut greenhouse gas emissions from its non-combat activities by 34 per cent by 2020.

The GHG reduction target exempts the aircraft, ships and land vehicles used in combat, but includes the Department’s 300,000-plus buildings and 160,000 fleet vehicles. Buildings and vehicles account for about a quarter of the DoD’s energy consumption, but nearly 40 per cent of its emissions.

Increased use of renewable energy sources will play a large part in hitting the emissions reduction target.

"Energy security for the Department means having assured access to reliable supplies of energy and the ability to protect and deliver sufficient energy to meet operational needs. Energy efficiency can serve as a force multiplier, because it increases the range and endurance of forces in the field and can reduce the number of combat forces diverted to protect energy supply lines," says the QDR.

Motivation is, of course, about ensuring that the DoD can still conduct operations. In 2008, the National Intelligence Council judged that more than 30 US military installations were already facing elevated levels of risk from rising sea levels.

"DoD’s operational readiness hinges on continued access to land, air and sea training and test space. Consequently, the Department must complete a comprehensive assessment of all installations to assess the potential impacts of climate change on its missions and adapt as required," says the QDR.

The DoD will coordinate its efforts in the US with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency.