Abundant energy from the sun, the wind, plants, and the Earth itself—renewable energy—can provide some or all of your federal facility's needs for heating, cooling, and electricity. The U.S. Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) has developed ways to help you tap into these clean, secure energy resources.
By using renewable energy, you can meet federal goals, help to conserve our natural resources, and increase the nation's energy security. Renewable resources can also contribute significantly to the energy security of your individual federal facility. They provide a naturally occurring, continual flow of energy, at or near the place where the energy is used.
This can be important to energy managers, like you, who have to make sure your facility will keep operating even if utility power is disrupted by reductions in supplies or national emergencies.
The latest Report to Congress on Federal Renewable Energy Use (246 KB) shows how much renewable energy your agency is already using. Download Adobe Reader. Your agency has probably already started or completed projects that help to meet federal requirements and goals for using renewable energy. If not, FEMP can help you get started.
Benefits
Why should I consider renewable energy for my facility? Using renewable energy systems brings agencies benefits like these:
- Reliable, distributed power supplies and fuel diversification, which enhance energy security for both individual facilities and the nation
- More power for peak-use periods
- Fewer (or no) emissions or greenhouse gases associated with energy use
- Lower risk of fuel spills in environmentally sensitive, remote locations
- Less need for imported fuels
- Lower utility bills
- Reduced operation and maintenance (O$M) costs
- Greater price stability in an uncertain energy economy
- Conservation of the nation's natural resources
What kinds of renewable options are available for my facility?
For the complete FEMP Renewable Energy Overview (PDF 723 KB), you can view or print this publication. Download Adobe Reader.