Lessons Learned from the US Army Net Zero Energy Program for NATO Installations

摘要

The US Army has been a leader in developing net zero installations. This chapter provides lessons learned from the Army program to support NATO installations with their net zero energy efforts. The US Army net zero energy program started with nine interested pilot installations selected through a competitive process. The program has been recently expanded to the entire Army and all installations have been tasked with pursuing net zero. The Army's vision is to appropriately manage its natural resources with a goal of Net Zero installations in energy, water, and waste. Net Zero builds on existing Army sustainability efforts to integrate environmental, energy, and green procurement programs. This holistic strategy is targeted to improve management of federal energy, water, and solid waste requirements with the goal of exceeding minimum targets where fiscally responsible. Net Zero is a force multiplier that enables the Army to appropriately steward available resources, manage costs, and provide soldiers, families, and civilians with a sustainable future. Implementing net zero energy initiatives also improves an installation's energy security and sustainability, and increases its resiliency—helping it anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions and withstand, and to respond to and recover rapidly from disruptions. The Army's intent is that all installations evaluate the feasibility of achieving net zero energy and then implement net zero energy to the maximum extent possible, in a practical and fiscally responsible manner by: (1) reducing overall energy use, (2) maximizing efficiency, (3) implementing energy recovery and cogeneration opportunities, and then (4) by offsetting the remaining demand with the production of renewable energy.