WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2016 - The Energy Department (DOE) announced $2.85 million in funding for four projects to advance the development of renewable energy technologies at facilities across the federal government, the nation’s largest single user of energy. The projects will reduce carbon emissions and strengthen America's economic, energy and environmental security, says DOE.
Federal agencies have a goal to achieve 30 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025, and DOE says its Federal Energy Management Program is leading the way. The FEMP’s Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) project selections will increase solar photovoltaic (PV) and biomass generation. The total investment, cost shared with industry, is nearly $75 million.
Projects funded under FEMP are:
- State Department (Overseas Diplomatic Posts) —This 11.9-megawatt PV system bundles together solar projects from 200 kilowatts to 8 megawatts at 10 different overseas U.S. diplomatic posts into the department's first multisite Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). The proposed project will more than double the use of renewables.
- Agriculture Department (U.S. Forest Service) —This 0.76 megawatt project deploys roof, ground, or carport-mounted solar panels, ranging from six–100 kilowatts at 11 installation sites across Oregon and Washington. The project will provide 100 percent of the electricity needs for four sites and more than 50 percent of the electricity needs at the remaining seven locations.
- Justice Department (Drug Enforcement Administration in El Paso, Texas) —This 0.79 megawatt PV installation combines a ground and carport system at the El Paso Intelligence Center, providing 30 percent of the center’s energy use using the ENABLE ESPC contract, which offers a standardized, streamlined process for small federal facilities to install targeted energy conservation measures in six months or less. The project will be DEA's first renewable energy system and first ESPC that will advance agency expertise in renewable energy system installation and integration that can be used by other DEA facilities.
- Defense Department (U.S. Marine Corps Installation Command in Albany, Georgia) —This 10-megawatt biomass steam turbine generator will reduce annual electricity consumption by approximately 4,600 megawatt-hours. The model project demonstrates how military installations can work toward federal energy goals and mandates, while achieving a net-zero status and addressing energy security challenges.
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