WASHINGTON (September 3, 2014) -- The U.S. Army Net Zero Energy Roadmap and Program Summary for fiscal year 2013 has been released.
The summary concludes that the nine Army Net Zero Energy pilot installations have already made substantial progress in identifying, developing, and executing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in the first years of the program. It goes on to say that each of the Net Zero Energy pilot installations has great potential for energy efficiency.
The summary says that if all nine of the Army Net Zero Energy pilot installations achieve Net Zero Energy, they will replace approximately eight percent of the Army's current total installation energy use with renewable energy. This replaces about six trillion British thermal units (Btus) of fossil fuel--generated energy with renewable energy sources. Their success would also support the Army's overall renewable energy goal of getting 25 percent of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2025. If all Army installations worldwide were to achieve a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption, like most Net Zero Energy installations can, the Army would save approximately 20 trillion Btus and about $300 million annually.
In October 2010, the Honorable Katherine Hammack, assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, announced the creation of the Army Net Zero Initiative. Today she says, "I am amazed at the progress Army installations have already made to reduce energy and water consumption, as well as waste generation. We will all monitor the journey these installations embark on to reach the final Net Zero goal."
Net Zero is a holistic strategy founded upon long-standing sustainable practices and incorporates emerging best practices to manage energy, water and waste at Army installations.
As part of the strategy, the Army partnered with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to assess opportunities for increasing energy security through improved energy efficiency and optimized renewable energy strategies at the nine installations.
These Net Zero Energy Installations demonstrate and validate energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies with approaches that can be replicated across the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies, setting the stage for broad market adoption.
Six of the nine pilot installations are focusing solely on Net Zero Energy: Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area, Fort Detrick, Fort Hunter Liggett, Kwajalein Atoll, Sierra Army Depot and West Point. Three other installations volunteered for unique Net Zero Energy Initiatives. Oregon Army National Guard is piloting a Net Zero Energy Initiative that includes all of its installations across the state. Fort Bliss and Fort Carson are piloting integrated Net Zero installation programs that comprise energy, water and waste.
The summary was developed by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, the Manager and Operator of NREL, on behalf of the DoD.
The work was sponsored by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy & Environment). It is part of the Army's Net Zero pilot program and builds on past Net Zero Energy work sponsored by the Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program and is supported by NREL.
Related Documents:
Army Net Zero: Summary Report (PDF) [PDF]
Related Links:
Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and Environment)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Army Net Zero Energy Installation Road Map and Summary Report
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