Services Transition to New Energy Sources

Signal, Feb 2007 by Boland, Rita

U.S. military branches can lead the way in conservation practices and alternative technologies.

The U.S. military services are turning their attention to energy practices and energy sources as a matter of national defense and security. As debates rage over oil costs and usage as well as the question of when peak oil-the highest rate at which oil can be pumped from the Earth-will be achieved, the service branches are examining ways to use fuel more wisely and exploring alternative energy sources. While experts disagree on many energy issues, most agree that the United States needs to develop renewable and sustainable energy options now to prepare for the future, and the military must take a lead role in that paradigm shift.

U.S. Defense Department officials are examining and transforming military energy policies in operations and infrastructure. The Office of Force Transformation began looking at energy several years ago when officials there determined that it would be a key piece of the department's transformation strategy. According to Terry Pudas, acting deputy assistant secretary of defense for forces, transformation and resources, energy is starting to play a significant role with global security implications.

Within the individual services, leaders are exploring ways to reduce dependency on oil energy sources by developing renewable alternatives and reducing consumption. Decision makers recognize that changes stateside and abroad can reap substantial savings.

The U.S. Air Force is evaluating the way it consumes energy overseas and at home for transportation, infrastructure and other needs. Michael Aimone, assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics, installations and mission support, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, explains that the Air Force is pursuing alternative sources of energy and energy conservation efforts. He also emphasizes that the service has approximately 360,000 airmen, only 20,000 of whom are deployed, so the Air Force is expending much of its energy stateside. Aimone says the Air Force has to take a holistic approach to solving energy problems, from encouraging installations to conserve more to flying aircraft over shorter routes and using flex-fuel vehicles that can run on motor gasoline as well as ethanol 85, a mixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

Aimone cites Scott Air Force Base (AFB), Illinois, as an example to illustrate how much energy a typical installation generally uses. In fiscal year 2006, Scott AFB facility energy consumption totaled 813,653 million British thermal units. All fuels expended by Scott AFB aircraft and vehicles in fiscal year 2006 totaled 2,271,010 gallons. The base reduced its energy consumption by 34.8 percent from fiscal year 1985 to fiscal year 2005.

Between those years, the entire Air Force lowered its installation energy usage by 30 percent. Base closures during that period neither benefited nor harmed the effort because the energy usage was measured per square foot of space. The reduction resulted from a combination of new technology, rebuilding and major modifications to existing buildings as well as energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems; effective energy setback in which heaters and air conditioners were adjusted for reduced usage during strategic times; and efficient use of energy by airmen. Aimone explains that all airmen have to be involved in the conservation process and that they can do so without adversely affecting their quality of life.

The service also is using alternative energy sources. It gets 11 percent of its electricity from renewable sources such as wind, biomass and solar energy. Approximately one-quarter of the Air Force's 12,000 stateside general-purpose vehicles operate with flex-fuel technology, and Aimone says that all new vehicles have to be flex-fuel capable. In addition, about 8 percent of the diesel used by the Air Force is biodiesel.

On the aviation side, the service is conserving energy by working with international partners to achieve diplomatic clearance to fly over certain countries, straightening the path between points A and B. Through negotiations with certain European nations, the flight time from the United States to Afghanistan has been reduced by 100 minutes. The Air Force also intends for 50 percent of all aviation fuels to be blended synthetic fuels by 2016. It is in the midst of an aviation demonstration to show that synthetic fuels can be employed in aviation.

Aimone says the United States and its military must plan for future oil shortages now to avoid major problems later. "If we don't start it now, we will be on a crash program later," he states. Aimone says the Air Force views energy as an important strategy for the 21st century. Instead of waiting for a crisis to occur, the service wants to plan for the long term and address energy aspects of supply and demand, aviation, installations and ground transportation. He stresses the need to incorporate many energy alternatives and conservation methods because "to do one is inefficient."