Determining the return of energy efficiency investments in domestic and deployed military installations

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the return on energy efficiency investments in domestic installations and military forward operating bases. This research considers two current options for increasing energy efficiency at military installations: the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracts to fund energy efficiency improvements at domestic military installations, and the use of waste to energy generators at remote, deployed military installations. In domestic military installations, energy requirements are provided primarily via external utilities. Energy saving efforts at domestic installations seek to reduce utility expenses by private equity investment in energy efficiency technologies. In remote military installations, generators provide the majority of electricity by burning fossil fuels delivered from fuel convoys. Forward deployed installation energy efficiency can be achieved through expanded on-site use of alternative fuels. By using field waste as a fuel source, the external fuel demand at forward military operating bases may be reduced. Estimated financial returns of these energy efficiency methods are included in the analyses of this research. This research also discusses the governmental policies mandating energy efficiency and explains how involved parties benefit financially from energy efficiency investments.