ARMY NET ZERO - NREL
ARMY NET ZEROLessons Learned in Net Zero EnergyJune 2015
DISCLAIMERThis document, developed by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, the Manager andOperator of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is authorized for releaseon behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). NREL may release this document inprinted or electronic format, post or link to it on its public website, cite or reference it inother materials, and maintain a record in its publicly searchable document database.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis report was written by Colton Heaps of NREL. This work is sponsored by the U.S.Army, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy & Environment) and theDepartment of Energy’s (DOE’s) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). It ispart of the Army’s Net Zero pilot program and builds on past Net Zero Energy worksponsored by FEMP and supported by NREL. FEMP continues to support the Net Zeroprogram with project implementation strategies. The energy team members at eachof the Net Zero Energy pilot sites and some of the staff members from NREL, the PacificNorthwest National Laboratory, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Huntsville Centerand Construction Engineering Research Laboratory who supported them all contributedimportant feedback and insights that were crucial to developing the content of thisreport. A complete list of these individuals is included in the Contributors section of thisreport. NREL also gratefully acknowledges the assistance and support of Paul Volkmanand Kristine Kingery at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations,Energy & Environment).For additional information, please contact Sam Booth at samuel.booth@nrel.gov or303-275-4625.Front page images (top, left to right, bottom): Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL 31262;photo from U.S. Army 79867; photo from Sgt Brett Miller, U.S. Army 2012 0623; photofrom John Prettyman, U.S. Army 899842
MESSAGE FROM HONORABLE KATHERINE HAMMACKPhoto from U.S. Army 291555The Army Net Zero Initiative is a holistic strategy foundedupon long-standing sustainable practices and emergingbest practices to manage energy, water, and waste at Armyinstallations. The Net Zero Initiative was launched withinstallation-level pilot programs designed to serve as test bedsto gather lessons learned, develop technical analysis and plans,and construct a solid foundation to transition and institutionalize the Net Zero concept throughout the Army. Theseinstallations include a total of seventeen Net Zero Energy,Water, and Waste installations that had a single focus of energy,water, or waste (six installations each), two integrated Net ZeroEnergy-Water-Waste pilot installations, and one statewideArmy National Guard Net Zero Energy pilot program.A Net Zero Energy installation reduces overall energy use;maximizes efficiency, energy recovery, and cogenerationopportunities; and offsets the remaining energy demand withthe production of renewable energy. A Net Zero Energy installation’s goal is to produce as much renewable energy on siteas it uses over the course of a year. The Net Zero Energy sitesrepresent installations of different physical sizes, geographiclocations, and Army commands.This report is a compilation of lessons learned from the Army’sNet Zero Energy Pilot Implementation Program. It reinforcesthe concept and importance of Net Zero Energy and furtherdevelops the Net Zero Implementation Framework bypresenting specific examples of activities in each of theframework’s implementation phases.The bulk of this report is devoted to highlighting the feedbackfrom those involved with the Net Zero Energy pilot program,the installations selected for participation, the technical expertsat the Army support organizations, and the national laboratories that provided assistance to those installations.Honorable Katherine HammackAssistant Secretary of the Army(Installations, Energy & Environment)Washington, DC1
COMMON FACTORS FOR NET ZERO ENERGYPROGRAM SUCCESSThe following common factors for success are the most important lessons learned fromthis study. These lessons learned were repeated frequently from multiple sources offeedback and significantly impacted the success of the Net Zero Energy programs ateach installation. Leadership support and engagement at multiple levels is critical to an effective NetZero Energy program. The Net Zero Energy approach should be an interdisciplinary, well-integrated, andholistic methodology of assessing, planning, developing, and implementing Net ZeroEnergy projects. Advanced planning for energy projects and incorporating energy as a primaryconsideration in designs are critical to the success of implementing the Net ZeroEnergy principles. Understanding the integration implications of proposed Net Zero Energy projects—between other energy projects, between projects and existing systems, and betweenprojects supporting Net Zero Water and Waste—is crucial to implementing a cohesiveand effective Net Zero Energy program. The capability, motivation, dedication, and capacity of the Net Zero Energy programleads are some of the most significant factors that affect an installation’s success inpursuing Net Zero Energy. Net Zero Energy implementers and teams need appropriate training and skills. Inaddition, they should recognize and utilize all the available resources to successfullyimplement projects. Maintaining flexibility in pursuit of finding the right procurement approach for eachproject dramatically increases the likelihood of success.2
TABLE OF CONTENTSINTRODUCTION TO NET ZERO ENERGY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Purpose of This Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Policies for Net Zero Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Net Zero Implementation Framework. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8LESSONS LEARNED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Initiate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Baseline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Preliminary Audits, Assessments, and Analyses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Integrated Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Understand the Local Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Assess. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Economics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Policy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Holistic Assessments and Site Planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Ownership of Facilities and Control of Land/Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Leased and Privatized Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Off-Take . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Permits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Energy Conservation Measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24General Renewable Energy Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Solar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Biomass and Waste to Energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Integration Issues and Microgrid Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Consensus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Leadership Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Net Zero Energy: Aspiration Versus Practical Reality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Coordination and Communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Net Zero Energy Program Lead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32Leaders as Team Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Leveraging Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Implement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Capital. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Available Assistance and General Procurement Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Energy Savings Performance Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Power Purchase Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38General Services Administration’s Areawide Contract. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Utility Energy Service Contracts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39Long-Term Land Lease Agreements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Appropriated Funding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Demonstration Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41CONCLUSION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43CONTRIBUTORS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444
LIST OF FIGURESFigure 1. Net Zero concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Figure 2. Net Zero implementation framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Figure 3. An Army aerial mission (top) and training mission (bottom). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Figure 4. Sierra Army Depot high mast lighting (12 kW). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Figure 5. Example of a building energy model with shading objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Figure 6. Fort Hunter Liggett master planning map showing a future energy project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Figure 7. Bottom-up modeled system price of PV systems by sector, Q4 2009–Q4 2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Figure 8. Energy cost difference between a government-owned and third-party-owned RE project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Figure 9. Dispersed air conditioning units at Kwajalein Atoll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Figure 10. Example of an air conditioning unit destroyed by the corrosive climate of Kwajalein Atoll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Figure 11. Locations of Oregon Army National Guard energy projects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Figure 12. PV project at the consolidated energy site at Fort Carson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Figure 13. The nexus of energy, water, and waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Figure 14. Colorado wind speed map at 80 meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Figure 15. Net Zero Energy hierarchy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Figure 16. Fort Carson energy awareness campaign poster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Figure 17. Historic buildings on the campus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Figure 18. Canopy-style PV mounting over the cantonment area of Fort Hunter Liggett. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Figure 19. Wind project interference map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Figure 20. Wind project on Joint Base Cape Cod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27Figure 21. Heat-only waste-to-energy plant at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Figure 22. The NREL team surveys Area B, the site of Fort Detrick’s 15-MW PV system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Figure 23. The large battery storage system at Fort Hunte
part of the Army’s Net Zero pilot program and builds on past Net Zero Energy work sponsored by FEMP and supported by NREL. FEMP continues to support the Net Zero program with project implementation strategies. The energy team members at each of the Net Zero Energy pilot sites and some of the staff members from NREL, the Pacific
Cover Photos: (left to right) photo by Pat Corkery, NREL 16416, photo from SunEdison, NREL 17423, photo by Pat Corkery, NREL 16560, photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL 17613, photo by Dean Armstrong, NREL 17436, photo by Pat Corkery, NREL 17721. . Interior Ambient Lighting .
Cover Photos by Dennis Schroeder: (clockwise, left to right) NREL 51934, NREL 45897, NREL 42160, NREL 45891, NREL 48097, NREL 46526. NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content
free via . www.OSTI.gov. Cover Photos by Dennis Schroeder: (clockwise, left to right) NREL 51934, NREL 45897, NREL 42160, NREL 45891, NREL 48097, NREL 46526. NREL
free via . www.OSTI.gov. Cover Photos by Dennis Schroeder: (left to right) NREL 26173, NREL 18302, NREL 19758, NREL 29642, NREL 19795. NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content. . tracker designs of different dimension (e.g. 2up landscape vs - 2-up portrait) since the self-shading geometry and bifacial rear .
Phone: 800.553.6847 or 703.605.6000 Fax: 703.605.6900 Email: orders@ntis.gov Cover Photos by Dennis Schroeder: (left to right) NREL 26173, NREL 18302, NREL 19758, NREL 29642, NREL 19795. NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content. iii
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The Net-Zero riteria are part of the STi’s Net-Zero Standard. The Net-Zero Standard, which entails both the Criteria and forthcoming Net-Zero Guidance, will be finalized by November 2021 in advance of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26). Public consultation of the Net-Zero Guidance is scheduled to begin in July 2021.
ISO 14001:2015 standard certification. An EMS audit is a systematic and documented verification process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence to determine whether an organization’s EMS conforms to the criteria of the ISO 14001:2015 standard, and is communicating results to management. There is a plethora of information and checklists
