This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

May 15, 2013

Navy, NREL Conduct Office Energy Study to Reduce Power Use

The U.S. Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii, in conjunction with the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), conducted an energy demonstration project in April to collect data on office energy plug load usage. The project aimed to promote energy consciousness and reduce energy consumption. A report on the pilot project and the amount of energy saved is scheduled to be provided to the Navy's energy team in summer 2013.

The Navy contracted with NREL beginning in August of 2011, to help reduce energy consumption. As part of an expected two-and-a-half year contract, the Navy and NREL are looking for a suite solutions to meet the Navy's energy efficiency goals. These goals include evaluating energy efficiency and use when awarding Navy contracts for systems and buildings; increasing alternative energy use on shore by producing at least 50% of shore-based energy from alternative sources; and ensuring that 50% of Navy and Marine Corps installations will be "net-zero" energy use facilities. See theNavy press release and the NREL press release.