Making the DOD more energy efficient. an op-Ed by Judy marks, CEO, Siemens government technologies
In 2011, the Department of Defense (DOD) was not only the single largest energy consumer in the U.S., but the largest in the world. The DOD spent roughly $20 billion on energy last year, including $4 billion at military installations. With multiple government initiatives introduced around energy consumption goals and policies in place like the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the DOD has very real targets to reach in improving energy efficiencies, utilization of cleaner power sources, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. With a focus on four aspects of energy effectiveness, the DOD has an opportunity to have a considerable impact on the energy landscape in the U.S.
First, conserve and save - The DOD has over 300,000 buildings in the U.S., many of them examples of aging infrastructure. Simply by implementing readily available energy efficiency technologies and initiatives, the DOD can bend the curve on its $4 billion annual energy bill and yield large financial rewards.
Second, generate and store – U.S. military installations offer the opportunity to implement a vast array of renewable energy sources including solar, wind and geothermal power. With advances in storage technologies, renewable energy can play a greater role in a diverse power generation mix.
Third, control and monitor - Automation takes the guesswork out of energy efficiency. The DOD is expanding its use of automation to meter power usage, control lighting, manage building climate and generate power on-demand. Building automation, lighting and water technologies are proven to save facilities anywhere from 30% to 50% of their energy consumption.
Fourth, implement microgrids - The DOD is now moving to the use of Microgrids, self-contained islands of power transmission, distribution and utilization that can function autonomously or be connected to a larger power grid. Microgrids offer the DOD the ability to drive efficiencies, lower costs and provide energy security for military bases. They will be a more reliable, secure solution to manage, distribute, measure, utilize and conserve electricity use. Microgrids can also serve as an integrator for multiple sources of energy, including renewables, improving the function and capacity of our national grid system overall.
In fact, using a suite of available technologies, it is possible that the DOD could go from being the largest consumer of electricity to being a lean consumer with power to spare by providing energy back to the grid.
Technologies exist today to support all four aspects of energy effectiveness and today’s budget realities make it more urgent than ever to drive the energy agenda. The logistics required to fuel the DOD’s mission will require initial investment, but a balanced approach including efficiency measures, renewable energy generation and grid security will yield significant savings now and in the future.
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