WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $2.85 million in funding for four projects that will advance the development of renewable energy technologies at facilities across the federal government.
The DOE’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) is leading the way to bring clean energy to federal facilities, and these projects are aimed at increasing solar photovoltaic (PV) and biomass generation. Cost shared with industry, the total investment is nearly $75 million.
The projects include:
• Department of State - 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 State Department’s first multi-site energy savings performance contract (ESPC). The proposed project will more than double the use of renewables.
• Department of Agriculture - U.S. Forest Service — This 0.76 megawatt project deploys roof, ground, or carport-mounted solar panels, ranging from 6-100 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.
• Department of Justice - Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in El Paso, Texas — This 0.79 megawatt PV installation combines a ground and carport system at the El Paso Intelligence Center (EPIC), providing 30 percent of EPIC’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.
• Department of Defense - 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 annually. 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.
For more information about how the DOE enables federal agencies to meet energy-related goals, visit the FEMP website at http://energy.gov/eere/femp/federal-energy-management-program.
Publication date: 2/12/2016
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