Analysis of Marine Corps renewable energy planning to meet installation energy security requirements

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze Marine Corps installation energy consumption and the pursuit of increased renewable energy generation goals across Marine Corps installations. The main objective of this report is to determine the cost of interruption and the net present value (NPV) of renewable energy generation needed to meet the Marine Corps energy security objectives. First, we determine installation-specific energy consumption, resource requirements, and current renewable energy generation projects. Second, we analyze current Marine Corps installation energy portfolios to determine shortfalls from minimum energy targets and the cost to generate those shortfalls through renewable energy technologies. Finally, we identify installation energy security requirements, determine cost of interruption, and conduct a sensitivity analysis of the cost-benefit of renewable energy generation alternatives to meet energy security requirements. This study determines how investment in renewable energy to meet baseline energy consumption requirements increases energy security across Marine Corps installations. Furthermore, considering the cost of interruption, the investment in renewable energy technologies yields a positive NPV at the majority of Marine Corps installations. Based on this research, we recommend that the Marine Corps develops a quantitative method for assessing energy security and invest to meet energy security goals at each installation.