Fort Bragg expects to save more than $1.5 million in energy costs each year as it renovates aging buildings, according to a report that highlighted Department of Defense energy initiatives.
Fort Bragg is one of several installations mentioned in the 88-page report released last week entitled "From Barracks to the Battlefield: Clean Energy Innovation and America's Armed Forces" from the Pew Charitable Trust.
Fort Bragg officials, who started their efforts last year, have made 30 buildings more energy efficient, according to the report. Another four buildings will be renovated this fiscal year.
The efforts are part of a larger, Department of Defense-wide attempt to conserve energy and accelerate clean energy innovation.
According to the report, Department of Defense clean energy investments increased 300 percent between 2006 and 2009, from $400 million to $1.2 billion, and are expected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2030.
The Pew report focuses on three areas of clean energy technologies: vehicle efficiency, advanced biofuels and energy efficiency and renewable energy at bases.
The energy innovations are seen as a way to reduce risks to the military while enhancing energy security and saving money.
The priority is driven by combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the report, where fuel shipments account for 80 percent of all supply convoys and one out of every 46 convoys experience a casualty.
Pew officials said in a telephone conference with reporters that they feel the Department of Defense will lead the way in a greater push toward clean energy.
"As one of the largest energy consumers in the world, the Department of Defense has the ability to help shape America's energy future," said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Clean Energy Program. "DoD's efforts to harness clean energy will save lives, save money and enhance the nation's energy and economic future. Their work is also helping to spur the growth of the clean energy economy."
John Warner, a senior policy adviser to the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate and a former five-term U.S. senator from Virginia, said the Department of Defense can be a leader in the clean energy movement.
"The Department of Defense fostered the Internet, GPS, computer software and other economically important innovations," Warner said. "Today, our uniformed men and women and their civilian counterparts are committed to transforming the way the department uses energy through efficiency and technology development. Their accomplishments and innovations are enhancing our national, economic and environmental security."
Other Fort Bragg projects include the upgrade to more efficient central energy plants on base and the installation of Fort Bragg's first thermal energy storage site.
The thermal energy storage site was brought online this summer, according to the report, and uses chilled water to save thermal energy, resulting in a "huge energy cost savings" during peak periods of the day.
Fort Bragg plans to install three additional thermal energy storage sites this year, the report said.
The Pew report also highlighted new solar panels that will be installed on the new Warriors in Transition complex. Smaller solar panel projects are planned for the installation over the next two years.
Source: www.fayobserver.com
Fort Bragg is one of several installations mentioned in the 88-page report released last week entitled "From Barracks to the Battlefield: Clean Energy Innovation and America's Armed Forces" from the Pew Charitable Trust.
Fort Bragg officials, who started their efforts last year, have made 30 buildings more energy efficient, according to the report. Another four buildings will be renovated this fiscal year.
The efforts are part of a larger, Department of Defense-wide attempt to conserve energy and accelerate clean energy innovation.
According to the report, Department of Defense clean energy investments increased 300 percent between 2006 and 2009, from $400 million to $1.2 billion, and are expected to exceed $10 billion annually by 2030.
The Pew report focuses on three areas of clean energy technologies: vehicle efficiency, advanced biofuels and energy efficiency and renewable energy at bases.
The energy innovations are seen as a way to reduce risks to the military while enhancing energy security and saving money.
The priority is driven by combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the report, where fuel shipments account for 80 percent of all supply convoys and one out of every 46 convoys experience a casualty.
Pew officials said in a telephone conference with reporters that they feel the Department of Defense will lead the way in a greater push toward clean energy.
"As one of the largest energy consumers in the world, the Department of Defense has the ability to help shape America's energy future," said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Clean Energy Program. "DoD's efforts to harness clean energy will save lives, save money and enhance the nation's energy and economic future. Their work is also helping to spur the growth of the clean energy economy."
John Warner, a senior policy adviser to the Pew Project on National Security, Energy and Climate and a former five-term U.S. senator from Virginia, said the Department of Defense can be a leader in the clean energy movement.
"The Department of Defense fostered the Internet, GPS, computer software and other economically important innovations," Warner said. "Today, our uniformed men and women and their civilian counterparts are committed to transforming the way the department uses energy through efficiency and technology development. Their accomplishments and innovations are enhancing our national, economic and environmental security."
Other Fort Bragg projects include the upgrade to more efficient central energy plants on base and the installation of Fort Bragg's first thermal energy storage site.
The thermal energy storage site was brought online this summer, according to the report, and uses chilled water to save thermal energy, resulting in a "huge energy cost savings" during peak periods of the day.
Fort Bragg plans to install three additional thermal energy storage sites this year, the report said.
The Pew report also highlighted new solar panels that will be installed on the new Warriors in Transition complex. Smaller solar panel projects are planned for the installation over the next two years.
Source: www.fayobserver.com
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