WINNING THE RENEWABLE WAR provides strategic diversity across the energy supply chain ,” said James Goudreau , retired US Navy Captain and former acting deputy assistant secretary of Navy for Energy .
“ Not many Americans understand the value of renewable energy ,” says Goudreau , who advocated for a deeper penetration of renewable energy sources as assets for the military during his service in the Pentagon . “ The practical application and efficiency of renewable energy in the combat zone and in disaster relief efforts are paramount . For instance , at the individual level , a marine carries a 120-pound pack with water and batteries . By using a small rollup solar panel , he can drop 25 pounds from the pack and carry more ammunition instead , or just have the ability to move lighter and faster . Similarly , in disaster relief situations , a marine can carry more emergency supplies .”
In 2009 , marines in Afghanistan started using solar panels to power batteries for communication devices , GPS and night-vision goggles in their fights against the Taliban . Solar panels also helped marines to turn off generators , thereby , eluding enemy detection . Mobile solar-powered convoys are able to move stealthily through enemy zones .
On track The US Armed Forces set out ambitious goals to increase total energy consumption from renewable sources : Army – 25 % by 2025 ; Navy – 50 % by 2020 ; and Air Force – 25 % of total electricity use from alternative energy by 2025 . As military renewable power projects tripled to 1,390 between 2011 and 2015 , which has benefited green energy contractors , primarily , utilities and solar companies , the military ’ s oil consumption fell by 20 % from 2007 to 2015 .
“ While reliance on a specific renewable technology is not the main driver for the Air Force , and it is more a matter what can be used to achieve energy resilience and efficiency , solar has been the dominant source of clean energy for us at the base ,” says Air Force Maj . Shawn Doyle with the Otis Air National Guard Base in Joint Base Cape Cod , Massachusetts . With the ultimate goal of making base energy infrastructure self-sufficient by using microgrids and relying less on public utilities , Maj . Doyle says that the Department of Defense is exploring
13