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US Military Investing $10 Billion a Year in Renewable Energy by 2030

26/10/2011

The US Army has announced that it has formed a new Energy Initiatives Task Force that will assess renewable energy projects, vet potential suppliers and develop new technologies to support the Army's growing commitment to powering its bases and its missions with renewable energy.

345cbef91_renewableenergyformilitaryapplications1.jpgThe US Army has announced that it has formed a new Energy Initiatives Task Force that will assess renewable energy projects, vet potential suppliers and develop new technologies to support the Army's growing commitment to powering its bases and its missions with renewable energy.

The Task Force is part of a Pentagon effort to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy sources as the military confronts the issues of energy costs, energy security for remote bases and operations and the effects of energy on strategic goals. According to a recent report from Pike Research, annual spending on renewable energy by the US Department of Defense (DOD) will reach $10 billion (USD) by 2030. While a significant portion of this will be spent on facilities operations, including permanent bases, the majority of the spending will be for mobility applications, including portable soldier power, as well as land, air and sea vehicles.

Pike Research estimates that the DOD currently spends approximately $20 billion per year on energy—75% for fuel and 25% for facilities and infrastructure. Among the key sectors that will receive significant Pentagon attention and investment over the next two decades are solar power for both permanent bases and temporary facilities; fuel cells for individual soldier power; microgrids for military facilities; and bio fuels for military vehicles. The Navy's "Great Green Fleet" initiative is expected to shift to a largely bio-fuels-driven fleet by 2016. The total market for renewable energy for mobile power for forward bases and temporary installations, for instance, is forecast to reach $6.1 billion by 2030.

By way of comparison, the total annual expenditure by China on renewable energy for military applications will reach $4.5 billion in 2030.

Source: solarnovus.com