Energy Awareness Month
What is it'
October is National Energy Awareness Month. This year's theme for Army is "Empowering Defense through Energy Security."
What is the Army doing'
A highlight of Energy Awareness Month will be the Pentagon Energy Security Event on October 12-15. The event will include more than 75 exhibits featuring installation and operational technology from industry, the services and Department of Defense, as well as forums on October 13 with senior leadership and leading experts.
The Army is working with federal, state and local government, private industry and the public on technologies including large-scale solar, wind and geothermal to proactively shape our energy future and move the nation toward energy independence. We have also updated our acquisition process to require that energy productivity be included in Army acquisition programs.
In theater, the Army has spearheaded initiatives in Iraq and Afghanistan to reduce vehicular fuel consumption, monitor energy use, insulate shelters, increase battery life, and reduce battery size and volume. These and other operational energy improvements boost performance and reduce vulnerabilities.
Why is this important to the Army'
Energy is both a force multiplier and a vulnerability. Improving Army's energy posture will enhance our combat capability in theater and support for combat capability at our fixed installations. By reducing the energy intensity of our equipment and facilities at home and in theater and through more efficient operations and better integration into our acquisition processes, we can lower operational risk, improve Warfighter effectiveness, and reduce costs. When deployed, systems such as smart grids enable better energy awareness and management, in turn improving system responsiveness, reducing the chance of local shortages or excess capacity.
What is planned for the future'
Two Army initiatives include a 500 megawatt solar energy project that would result in Fort Irwin, Ca., becoming energy secure by 2017 and a 30 megawatt geothermal power plant at Hawthorne Army Depot that would meet all of Hawthorne's electrical needs by 2014. The Army is also replacing older non-tactical vehicles with 4,000 electric and 700 hybrid vehicles, saving of 100,000 metric tons on carbon dioxide emissions and 7.5 million gallons of fuel over six years.
In addition, the Army will soon publish: an Operational Energy Initial Capabilities Document; a Tactical Fuel and Energy Implementation Plan; and a roadmap that spells out the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel and Facilities (DOTMLPF) activities required to affect the Army's Operational Energy Strategy.
Resources:
<a href="http://www.asaie.army.mil/Public/Partnerships/doc/AESIS_13JAN09_Approved%204-03-09.pdf " target="_blank">Army Energy Security Implementation Strategy </a>
<a href="http://www.arcic.army.mil/Docs/PE%20Strategy%20Apr%202010.pdf" target="_blank"> Power and Energy Strategy White Paper </a>
<a href="http://www.tradoc.army.mil/pao/2009armycapstoneconcept.pdf" target="_blank"> Army Capstone Concept (TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-0) Operational Adaptability: Operating Under Conditions of Uncertainty and Complexity in an Era of Persistent Conflict </a>
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