Military Tests Green Projects

The Army’s Fort Irwin training center, where troops prepare for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan, has become a testing ground for green projects from plug-in cars to insulated tents.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the military has a unique incentive to pursue green options: the Department of Defense is the nation’s largest energy consumer, and not only is power in the field expensive, fuel convoys are ideal targets for enemies seeking to disrupt operations.

Last summer, skyrocketing oil prices increased the DOD’s energy costs to $20 billion, up from around $13 billion the previous two years. The department already gets almost 10 percent of its power from alternative sources—and it hopes to expand those programs further.

The recently passed stimulus package included $120 million to improve Defense installations’ efficiency, and $300 million for military research into alternative power.

Mojave-desert-based Fort Irwin offers conditions very similar to those troops encounter in the field—making it a good proving ground for energy-saving technologies.

The financial incentive to save is significant. Powering the conventional tents at Fort Irwin that house a brigade of 5,000 troops costs about $3 million a month. By contrast, tents built with insulating foam and solar-reflective coating, reduce generator use by 45 to 75 percent.

An investment in the more efficient tents would pay for itself within nine months, according to estimates—and would save $100 million in just five years. And decreased fuel use means the base’s carbon footprint is reduced, as well.

Another area where the military is considering taking advantage of green projects is by using some of its extensive land holdings to site wind and solar farms or geothermal projects. The Army is inviting the private sector to lease land near Fort Irwin, for example, to construct a 500 MW solar project that would power the base as well as create ample energy for sale to the commercial market.

The greatest success has been improving energy efficiency on its military installations, which account for about 20% of total power needs. Gains have been made by putting in double-glazed windows, painting roofs white to reflect the sun, installing more efficient pumps and boilers, increasing natural lighting and using energy-efficient light bulbs.

Some believe that, because of its size, the military has the potential to become a catalyst, helping to turn more expensive power sources into financially viable alternatives to coal and petroleum.  Others also hope that the military’s adoption of alternative power will help the technology gain broader acceptance.

It has happened before.  Cell phones, global positioning systems and the Internet all were first adopted or developed for the military.  Military adoption of green technology would help to refine products and speed them to market.

Return to June 2009 Western Energy News

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