According to the latest report published by Colarado-based Pike Research, the US Department of Defense is expected to spend $1.8 billion on clean energy by 2025. The clean energy programs also include conservation measures which are expected to increase steadily over the next 12 years.
The various branches of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) combine to become one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, with consumption of around 3.8 billion kWh of electricity and 120 million barrels of oil annually, totalling $20 billion spent on energy directly per year.
“Changes in energy policy have provided countless opportunities throughout all operations of the DoD, with examples of renewable energy projects that include targets of 1 gigawatt of renewable energy installed capacity each for the Army, Navy, and Air Force by 2025, a target of 25 percent of all energy produced or procured from renewable energy sources by 2025, and development of the Navy’s Great Green Fleet Strike Group powered by biofuel, nuclear power, synthetic fuels, and hybrid propulsion systems,” says research analyst Dexter Gauntlett. “Most of these initiatives have gained considerable momentum and many of the targets will be achieved.”
The report predicts that the DoD is one of the most important drivers of renewable energy in the United States, with an official annual budget of about $800 billion. But, according to the Pike Research, the actual budget is much higher. Pike predicts that DoD expenditures include the procurement of technology, vehicles, aircrafts, and vessels running on cleantech and energy efficient components, and about $75 billion spent on research and development programs.
This Pike Research report, “Renewable Energy for Military Applications,” apart from forecasting the DoD expenditures on renewable energy by 2025, also analyses the present status and future plans of renewable energy at DoD and military bases. The report also examines the near- and long-term plans of DoD in research and development, primary drivers of renewable energy for each branch of the military. Analysis of renewable energy programs by technology (including solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, waste to energy, hydrokinetic and ocean energy, and fuel cells) is also covered in the report.
Earlier this year, the Obama administration had confirmed the establishment of a new army laboratory aimed at focussing on improving energy efficiency in combat vehicles. Also, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to work together on promoting the renewable energy generation on 16 million acres of DoD land.
Image Credit: USAF/Wikimedia Commons
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