Businesses worldwide are developing strategies to reduce the human effects on climate change, but cultural resistance to use of renewable energy sources remains a significant obstacle.

Why Alternative Energy?

With a world population approaching 7 billion people, Earth’s current energy demand is approximately 15.7 Terra Watts (TW). That energy is currently supplied by a combination of the following:

Fossil fuels, the largest energy source utilized today, release large amounts of CO₂ into the Earth’s atmosphere. While the long-term impact of this process remains to be seen, most scientists agree that the increased presence of CO₂ has led to changes in the global climate. In today’s business environment, alternative energies that do not emit CO₂ are becoming increasingly important to strategy and cost savings.

Climate Change is a Strategic Challenge

Climate change was recognized as a strategic challenge by the Department of Defense in the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), the first to include a contingency section on the topic. But we are already moving beyond just recognizing that climate change is happening. The USG is already taking steps to lead the way in renewable energy use, finding that it increases operational security, reduces dependence on foreign oil, and saves lives and money.

Alternative Energy Success Stories

The U.S. Army has developed solar tents to take advantage of the sunny weather conditions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Panels containing thin-film amorphous silicon are embedded in the top of the shade covers and tents. The tents provide shade while simultaneously producing an energy supply for charging portable electronic communication devices and laptops for field units. The photovoltaic technology provides greater mobility and cost savings through reduced spending on generators, fuel and batteries.

In fall of 2009, the U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Makin Island, an amphibious assault ship. This ship was the first of its kind to include electric drive in addition to gas turbines that traditionally power ships. On its maiden voyage, the hybrid electric drive was used for 75% time at sea, which saved $2 million in fuel costs for the trip. The U.S. Navy estimates that it will save over $250 million in fuel costs over the ship’s lifetime.

Local governments are engaging in the use of alternative energy as well. The state of Texas spent $5 billion building infrastructure to connect wind farms in west Texas to cities in the Eastern part of the state. The Mayor of Houston, TX, Annise Parker, has a vision for the city to transition from the oil and gas capital of the world, to the green energy capital of the world.

• 30% of Houston municipal government’s power is currently supplied by the wind
• The city plans to install 2,500 LED bulbs in streetlights, which will produce an annual cost savings of $3.6 million
• Initiatives to install smart meters are underway

Parker summarized that, “We’re [going to] do it because it’s the smart thing, because it makes business sense, and it’s the right thing.”

Alternative Energy Use is Situational

The right mix of energy for a business will depend on availability of traditional energy sources, the need for secure, self-sustaining energy supply, and a depth of desire to address climate change. As the efficiencies of capturing, storing and transmitting alternative energy continue to increase, it becomes more and more cost effective to invest in these alternative sources.

Coming Up Next:  Join us next time as we delve into a fleet management example and describe how your agency take the data captured by your fleet assets and integrate it with your enterprise systems using analytics.

Let Us Hear From You: What are your thoughts about using renewable energy source? Please share your comments here.

Source U.S. Army via Inhabitat

Tim Fain is an Associate Partner and Service Area Leader within IBM’s Global Business Services Public Sector. Mr. Fain has more than 30 years of technical, managerial, and consulting experience. Specifically his experience involves developing organizational, economic development and environmental and energy sustainability strategies; improving business models and processes; and helping organizations develop transformation roadmaps. He uses his extensive knowledge of Federal regulatory and budgetary processes, e-Government principles and methodologies, and strategic planning to help public sector clients address policy, service, and transformational challenges.

Prior to joining IBM, Tim spent eight years at the Office of Management and Budget where he worked on a broad range of Federal government information technology and policy issues. A former US Navy Submarine Officer, Tim holds a BS in Metallurgical Engineering, a MA in National Security Studies, and a MPP in International Trade and Finance.

Tim Fain (tfain@us.ibm.com)

Kara Vonder Reith is a Strategy Consultant on the Public Sector Team at IBM Global Business Services. She has experience working in the renewable energy field as a participant on Virginia Tech’s Solar Decathlon Team, which won 1st place in European competition in June 2010 and 13th in U.S. Department of Energy competition. She now works on business process re-engineering initiatives at the U.S. Agency International Development’s Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs. Ms. Vonder Reith earned her undergraduate degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2010.

Kara Vonder Reith (kara.vonderreith@us.ibm.com)

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