US Departments of Energy and Defense Partner to Accelerate Energy Innovation
28 July 2010
The US Departments of Energy (DOE) and Defense (DOD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate clean energy innovation and enhance national energy security. The MOU covers efforts in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water efficiency, fossil fuels, alternative fuels, efficient transportation technologies and fueling infrastructure, grid security, smart grid, storage, waste-to-energy, basic science research, mobile/deployable power, small modular reactor nuclear energy, and related areas.
This MOU builds on already strong cooperation between the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense, and will broaden collaboration on clean energy technology research, development, and demonstration.
In the 2010 Quadrennial Defense REview, the DOD expressed an intent to partner with other US agencies to research, develop, test and evaluate new sustainable energy technologies. The DOD aims to speed innovative energy and conservation technologies from laboratories to military end users, and it uses military installations as a tet ed to demonstrate and create a market for innovative energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies coming out of DOE laboratories, among other sources.
Energy security of the DOD means having assured access to reliable supplies of energy and the ability to protect and deliver sufficient energy to meet operational and installation energy needs. Energy efficiency can serve as a force multiplier, increasing the range and endurance of forces in the field while reduce the number of combat forces diverted to protect energy supply lines, as well as reducing long-term energy costs.
DOD is also increasing its use of renewable energy supplies and reducing energy demand to improve energy security and operational effectiveness, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in support of US climate change initiatives, and protect the DOD from energy price fluctuations. Solving military challenges has the potential to yield spin-off technologies that benefit the civilian community as well.
The Department of Energy is the lead Federal agency responsible for the development and deployment of advanced energy technologies, yet the Department of Defense will need to invest in many of these same energy technologies as well as other energy technologies which may be unique to the Department of Defense's operational requirements. Partnering with the Department of Defense provides the Department of Energy the opportunity to accelerate the deployment of its technologies and expertise to help address the economic and energy security needs of the United States and to promote scientific and technological innovation.
The DOD uses a WHOLE lot of fuel, so if they can find alternatives it is good for them. We can learn from the Japanese and Germans during WWII. If you run out of fuel your military grinds to a halt. Those who do not learn the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat them.
Posted by: SJC | 28 July 2010 at 12:41 PM
Good to see these two agencies recognizing their mutual goals. There are alternatives that could revolutionize the source of energy for military applications. We would hope that with a move away from foreign oil the military can focus on its own independence and assist the US economy by purchasing more energy from domestic resources.
Sourcing jet fuel alone from domestic petroleum AND algal/biofuel sources strengthens energy security and the economy. A DOD order for jet fuel should make a technically competent algal oil operation viable for scaling up. We commend the DOD and DOE for this initiative which will strengthen economy and security for the nation.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 28 July 2010 at 01:58 PM
Absolutely, if the Air Force decided to accelerate contracts for synthetic jet fuel, the whole industry would advance. If you want to create jobs, clean the air and be less dependent on foreign oil, you get three benefits from one move.
Posted by: SJC | 28 July 2010 at 02:05 PM
The 5% USA population spends over 50% of the world's arms budget.
As the other 95% of humanity views our actions http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6344FW20100406
and studies our morality
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38405052/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia
there is no doubt that two of our government departments cooperating will indeed be praised.
Posted by: kelly | 28 July 2010 at 02:57 PM
Kelly, stay on topic. The fact is most of the technological advances we've had, worldwide, generally comes from military or space programs.
Leave the morality in the church.
Posted by: sheckyvegas | 29 July 2010 at 10:28 AM
SV,
That was not a moral statement. Military contractors borrow from private sector advances. Many that work there wish they could use the most advanced methods, but they are not MilSpec approved.
Posted by: SJC | 30 July 2010 at 01:04 PM