This Ford Hood Sentinel article provides an overview of how operational energy, energy, efficiency and energy security is being integrated into US Army training and education programs across the entire service.  From the West Point Service Academy to the The United States Army War College which has added “Energy and National Security” to the Key Strategic Issues List the effort is intended to engender a culture of energy awareness and OE on the strategic level.   Read More   from Fort Hood.

Sandia National Lab SPIDERS microgrid project secures military installations.  With growing emphasis being placed on permanent energy efficiency solutions for permanent military bases, and the security of these installations from power loss, Sandia Lab’s research is worth looking at particularly as how it is integrating renewable energy generated power into the microgrid. Read More on this 2012 directly from the Sandia website.

Air Force pilots new solar power storage system, a component of the new Advanced Energy Storage and Management System (AESM) spearheaded by the Air Force Research Laboratory Power Technology Office. The Air Force Research Laboratory is looking at a computer center in Hawaii to demonstrate an advanced system for collecting, storing and using solar power. The goal is to demonstrate that solar power can add to a seamless energy management system for a sensitive, high-demand facility. If the pilot project is successful, it could be applied at other US Department of Defense facilities. Read More on this story published 21 October in Clean Technica. 

The US Air Force has tested wind power at a remote monitoring station used for combat exercises in Alaska. The objective behind this effort is to reduce costs and the need for airborne fuel drops during hazardous flying conditions. With March being a hazardous month, the wind turbines will help the Air Force to shift March refueling to the monitoring stations all the way into June. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Advanced Power Technology Office (APTO) executes technology development and demonstrations of alternative energy technologies on behalf of Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Energy. APTO is currently developing a comprehensive power solution for these shelters. The results of this demonstration will help determine the optimal power solution for the remote arctic range. The solution provided by APTO will also improve resiliency and reduce demand for fossil fuel...

On 11-13 November, Texas hosted the very first Defense Energy Summit (DES) aimed at building the foundation for a new Defense Energy Center of Excellence and exploring ways to accelerate clean energy and infrastructure solutions for the DOD. The summit also showcased the existing and emerging technologies employed by the military on-base and in-theater focused on reducing the military footprint.  Bringing together policymakers, military officials as well as industry, investment and academic stakeholders, this loaded summit served as a unique platform for key actors in the defense energy community to showcase new technologies, share lessons learned and hear from high-level decision makers. For the detailed program, list and bios of speakers and sponsors  Read more  here.