The U.S. military spent $6.7 billion to consume 144.8 million barrels of fuel in 2004, according to the Defense Energy Support Center. Last year it consumed only 128.3 million barrels, but spent $8.8 billion. For 2006, the energy support center estimates the military will need 130.6 million barrels and pay more than $10 billion.

Then, due to fears of shortages after the Gulf Coast hurricanes last year, the issue became more urgent.

Indeed, the days of inexpensive, convenient, abundant energy sources are near their end. Today's modern, motorized, mechanized army runs on oil, and as oil's cost soars, so too does the cost of military operations.

As such, the short- and long-term issues involved in developing enduring energy policies and solutions for military installations must be considered now if the military is to chart an effective and viable path toward a sustainable energy future, said a September 2005 Army Corps of Engineers report entitled "Energy Trends and Their Implications for U.S. Army Installations": "We must act now to develop the technology and infrastructure necessary to transition to other energy sources."

It is no wonder, then, that alternative energy and fuels are gaining more of the spotlight. In December 2005, a directive was sent out asking all defense facilities to cut their energy consumption and increase the use of renewable energy sources, according to an InsideDefense article.com last month. The goal is to reduce energy consumption by 2 percent each year while increasing renewable energy use to 7.5 percent of total demand by 2013 and 25 percent by 2025.

To ensure its capability to project and support U.S. forces, the military requires a transition to modern, secure and efficient energy systems, as well as to building technologies that are safe and environmental friendly, according to the Army Corps' of Engineers' report.

The main consumer of oil within the military is aircraft, which accounts for 73 percent, according to a Naval Research Advisory Committee study. Ships account for 8 percent, ground vehicles 15 percent, and installations — the main focus so far of DoD's energy conservation efforts — 4 percent.

So what is being done, and what already has been done? Military bases and facilities have been ordered to cut energy use by two percent per year and pursue alternative energy sources, such as solar and wind. Yet InsideDefense.com recently cited an observer familiar with the Pentagon's energy programs as having acknowledged "growing recognition" within the department that the energy conservation issue is much broader than facilities.

Air Force Effort
The Air Force is increasing efforts to reduce the demand for energy using better building design, advanced planning tools for operations, more efficient jet engines and better conservation practices. In fact, according to Air Force Undersecretary Dr. Ronald Sega, the Air Force purchased so much energy derived from wind, solar, geothermal and other renewable energy sources in 2005 that its threefold increase over its 2004 amount is enough energy to power the needs of 70,000 average-size homes for an entire year.

The following are some results of the Air Force's energy efforts (via Air Force Print News):

• The Air Force is the largest purchaser of renewable energy in the United States;

• Reduction of Air Force energy use by 30 percent since 1985;

• Of all electricity the Air Force purchases, 11 percent comes from renewable energy sources;

• The ground facilities of Dyess and Fairchild Air Force bases, located in Texas and Washington, are powered 100 percent by renewable energy;

• Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is the largest purchaser of renewable energy, with 138 million kilowatt hours of power purchased each year — enough to satisfy 60 percent of its electrical needs;

• Air Force installation of wind farms at Ascension Island and F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.; and

• One quarter of the Air Force's vehicle fleet is flex-fuel capable.

Navy Effort
The U.S. Navy already scores well above federal agencies in its research and application of new energy technologies, having won 40 percent and 37.5 percent of the prestigious Presidential and Federal Energy Management Program awards in 2005, a Defense Industry Daily article noted.

Now, under the direction of Congress, the Navy is analyzing alternative propulsion systems for its vessels, including nuclear, fossil fuels and other forms of energy, Navy officials said in written testimony at an April 6 subcommittee hearing. The study "will consider technologies such as nuclear power, gas turbines, diesels, fuel cells, mechanical drive, electrical drive, various types of propellers and podded propulsor systems, as well as other innovative concepts," according to the testimony from Rear Adm. Stephen Johnson, Navy director of undersea technology, and three other high-ranking naval officers.

(For additional details of some of the Navy's alternative-energy projects, visit Navy Newsstand.)

Army Effort
From 2004 to 2005, fuel use by the Army and Marine Corps increased by more than one-third, to 15.4 million barrels, according to Voice of America. One reason is that extra armor was added to humvees and other vehicles to make them safer. The military is now trying to develop hybrid engines that are more efficient.

While manufacturers such as Honda and Nissan have said they're considering slowing down production of hybrid vehicles due to sluggish sales, development of the technology for military (and commercial) use doesn't seem to be waning.

For instance, Oshkosh Truck, the military's exclusive provider of the Army's heavy cargo-hauling Heavy Expanded Mobility Technical Truck (HEMTT) vehicles, is now completing prototypes of its electric hybrid. The company has made nearly 20,000 HEMTTS, an estimated 2,500 of which are in use in Iraq.

The vehicle increases gas mileage by about 20 percent from the standard three to four miles per gallon. And in the case of Oshkosh Truck's newest version — called the HEMTT A3 — the technology has a storage system capturing energy that would otherwise be wasted in the braking process. Here a diesel engine powers a generator that sends power to electric drive axles. Energy is stored when trucks coast or decelerate, the Associated Press reported earlier this month. "The motor turns into a generator and provides power back into the vehicle, which can be used for the next acceleration or later to power outside sources."

The generator can produce up to 300 kilowatts of power — enough to run 50 homes for an indefinite amount of time. Hybrid generators could eliminate the need to haul in a separate diesel generator.

"It comes in real handy in the field. You can power an operation center out of that. You can power water purification systems off that," said Paul Mehney, communications officer with the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center.

One-third of Oshkosh Truck's sales come from the military.

Part of the Army Corps of Engineers report's conclusion section noted:

One thing is certain: it is going to be challenging and comprehensive approaches to energy issues are required. [...] The U.S. cannot drill its way to energy independence nor can we do it all with renewables and efficiency. A secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy system must be robust, diverse, and aggressively incorporate renewables, energy efficiency, and intelligent use of fossil fuels. Policy changes, leap-ahead technology breakthroughs, cultural changes, and significant investment is requisite for this new energy future.

The days of inexpensive, convenient, abundant energy sources are near their end. Time is essential.

References

Energy Trends and Their Implications for U.S. Army Installations
Army Corps of Engineers report, Sept. 2005

DoD Broadens Energy Efficiency Focus
by Suzanne Yohannan
InsideDefense.com (via Military.com), April 20, 2006

Air Force Committed to Energy-Efficiency, Renewable Energy
RenewableEnergyAccess.com, April 26, 2006

Air Force committed to energy-efficient strategies
by Senior Airman J.G. Buzanowski
Air Force Print News, April 9, 2006

The US Navy's Energy Conservation Efforts
Defense Industry Daily, Oct. 31, 2005

Awards Highlight DON as Leader in Energy Savings
Navy Newsstand, Oct. 27, 2005

Will High Energy Prices Affect the War on Terror?
by George Dwyer
Voice of America, April 27, 2006

Military looks to develop heavy hybrid trucks
The Associated Press, May 2, 2006