Army Net Zero: Going Green with Solar Power

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District plays a key role in helping the Army achieve its goal of developing net-zero installations. Net-zero is an initiative that aims to reduce total resource consumption (energy, water and waste) on an installation down to an effective rate of zero. At Fort Hunter Liggett in Central California, the district is nearing completion of the first of four new solar micro grids. The first, which is scheduled to be complete in April of 2012, is capable of generating up to one megawatt of power for the post, enough energy to power 250 to 300 homes.

The Army's vision is to appropriately manage our natural resources with a goal of net zero installations. Today the Army faces significant threats to our energy and water supply requirements both home and abroad. Addressing energy security and sustainability is operationally necessary, financially prudent, and essential to mission accomplishment. The goal is to manage our installations not only on a net zero energy basis, but net zero water and waste as well. We are creating a culture that recognizes the value of sustainability measured not just in terms of financial benefits, but benefits to maintaining mission capability, quality of life, relationships with local communities, and the preservation of options for the Army's future. The Army is leveraging available authorities for private sector investment, including using power purchase agreements (PPA), enhanced-use leases (EUL), energy savings performance contracts (ESPC), and utilities energy service contracts (UESCs) as tools to achieve these objectives. The Army must invest in its installations and improve efficiencies in energy, water and waste for the benefit of our current and future missions.

About the U.S. Army Installation Management Community:
IMCOM handles the day-to-day operations of U.S. Army installations
around the globe -- We are the Army's Home. Army installations are
communities that provide many of the same types of services expected
from any small city. Fire, police, public works, housing, and
child-care are just some of the things IMCOM does in Army communities
every day. We endeavor to provide a quality of life for Soldiers,
Civilians and Families commensurate with their service. Our
professional workforce strives to deliver on the commitments of the
Army Family Covenant, honor the sacrifices of military Families, and
enable the Army Force Generation cycle.

Our Mission: Our mission is to provide Soldiers, Civilians and their
Families with a quality of life commensurate with the quality of their
service.

Our Vision: Army installations are the Department of Defense standard
for infrastructure quality and are the provider of consistent, quality
services that are a force multiplier in supported organizations'
mission accomplishment, and materially enhance Soldier, Civilian and
Family well-being and readiness.

To learn more about IMCOM:

IMCOM Official Web Site - imcom.army.mil/hq/

Flickr Photostream - flickr.com/photos/imcom

YouTube - youtube.com/installationmgt

Twitter - twitter.com/armyimcom

Facebook - facebook.com/InstallationManagementCommu­nity

Scribd - scribd.com/IMCOMPubs

CNN iReport - ireport.com/people/HQIMCOMPA/

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