U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) spending on renewable energy programs, including conservation measures, will increase steadily over the next 12 years, reaching almost $1.8 billion in 2025, according to a new report from Pike Research.
"Changes in energy policy have provided countless opportunities throughout all operations of the DOD, with examples of renewable energy projects that include targets of 1 gigawatt of renewable energy installed capacity each for the Army, Navy and Air Force by 2025, a target of 25 percent of all energy produced or procured from renewable energy sources by 2025, and development of the Navy’s Great Green Fleet Strike Group powered by biofuel, nuclear power, synthetic fuels and hybrid propulsion systems," says research analyst Dexter Gauntlett.
"Most of these initiatives have gained considerable momentum, and many of the targets will be achieved," continues Gauntlett.
According to the report, cleantech military applications face the same opportunities and obstacles as does the civilian U.S. market. While significant cost and reliability hurdles remain, technology cost reductions and the use of power purchase agreements will enable mature technologies such as solar PV, biomass, wind and geothermal power to be rapidly and cost-effectively deployed at scale during the next 12 years, the report adds.
