Dive Brief:
- The California Energy Commission and the U.S. Navy have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop renewable energy projects which ensures "continued collaboration and information sharing on energy projects and initiatives," PV Magazine reports.
- The partnership will develop three battery and solar projects, and the Navy and Marines will lease 205 new electric vehicles for use at California installations.
- California Gov. Jerry Brown said the agreement would help expand renewable energy use on military bases, curb fossil fuel use and address drought conditions.
Dive Insight:
The agreement between the military and California goes to address recommendations made by the Governor’s Military Council last year, which aimed to enhance security and the California economy. Projects thus far have ranged from a waterless cleaning process for Kevlar vests to a solar+battery microgrid at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
The MOU signed this week will expand the partnership towards more renewable projects.
The military will make the largest integration of electric vehicles in the federal government so far, leasing more than 200 new electric vehicles for use at California installations.The Navy's Renewable Energy Program Office has signed agreements to develop solar and solar+battery projects at three installations in California, including the largest solar facility on Department of Defense lands.
"California and the Navy are taking action to boost energy efficiency and curb our dependence on fossil fuels,” Brown said in a statement. “This agreement will help expand renewable energy at military bases and secure water supplies in the face of drought.”
The Miramar microgrid was tested over the summer, after disconnecting from San Diego Gas & Electric's system. A 230-kW solar and 180-kW storage system continued to supply power to the installation’s Public Works building.
