"*" indicates required fields

Defense Energy

share this

“Energy is the lifeblood of our warfighting capabilities” – GENERAL DAVID PETRAEUS

defense

While the federal government is the largest energy consumer in the U.S., the Department of Defense (DoD) accounts for approximately 76% of the government’s energy expenditures. Most of the DoD’s energy expenditures come from fossil fuels. Petroleum-based fuels power equipment, expeditionary bases, tactical vehicles, aircrafts, naval vessels, and other platforms.

Dependence on fossil fuel poses many logistical and security risks for the DoD. A 2010 U.S. Army study discovered that one soldier or civilian was killed for every 24 fuel convoys between Iraq and Afghanistan. The DoD must reduce the overall demand for operational energy, improve the efficiency of military energy use  to enhance combat effectiveness,  diversify its energy mixture with biofuels and renewable energy, and reduce military mission risks and costs.

The vulnerability of petroleum-based supplies continues to raise both risks and costs for the DoD. However, the DoD is becoming a substantial investor in new energy sources. New investments in alternative fuels and renewable energy can have long-term benefits for energy security by providing an alternative to oil. These investments will also play a vital role in combatting climate change by reducing the DoD’s carbon footprint.

The DoD divides its energy focus into two areas:

Operational Energy Use –

Training, moving, and sustaining our forces

Sailor refuels an AV-8B Harrier.

Installation Energy Use – 

Reducing risk and increasing energy security on bases around the world

IMG_1884

 

ASP Resources on Defense Alternative Fuels

DoD’s Biofuels Program Fact Sheet Jan 2013

DoD’s Installation Energy Fact Sheet July 2013

Bio Fuels and National Security Fact Sheet Feb 2012

Bio Fuels Fact Sheet March 2012

All Blog Posts
All Must Reads
All Reports
All Events