ENERGY INNOVATION at the DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE

The report examines how the DoD's unique capacity for end-to-end research, development, and procurement can be leveraged for energy innovation. It analyzes three case studies—gas turbines, alternative fuels, and soldier-portable power—and compares the innovation models of DARPA and ARPA-E. While the DoD is a powerful engine for technology, the report notes that its contributions to climate goals depend on the alignment of energy needs with the military's core security mission. It highlights the 'Installation Energy Test Bed' as a successful model for overcoming the 'Valley of Death' in technology commercialization.

• The DoD possesses a unique institutional capacity to manage the full spectrum of innovation, from conceptual design to production, which is largely absent in other federal agencies.
• Military energy innovation is primarily driven by mission-critical needs; technologies that do not directly enhance combat effectiveness or security are less likely to receive sustained support.
• The development of gas turbines illustrates a successful DoD model of decoupling generic technology-base R&D from specific system design and procurement to manage complexity.
• Alternative fuels, specifically biofuels, are viewed as more sustainable than coal-based synfuels, which would increase net greenhouse gas emissions unless carbon capture and sequestration are implemented.
• A significant opportunity for reducing the weight of soldier-portable equipment lies in adopting low-power electronic design practices from the commercial sector, which the DoD has largely neglected.
• The DARPA model of innovation is characterized by a flat organization, empowered program managers with limited terms, and a focus on high-risk, high-payoff projects.
• ARPA-E replicates the DARPA model but adapts it to the 'occupied territory' of the established energy sector, emphasizing a 'risk mix' and building a community of support to ensure political survival.
• The 'Valley of Death'—the gap between R&D and full deployment—is a primary barrier to energy innovation that the DoD's ESTCP and SERDP programs have successfully addressed for environmental technologies.

APA

Sarewitz, D., Thernstrom, S., Alic, J., & Doom, T. (2012). ENERGY INNOVATION at the DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE. Clean Air Task Force. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/21093611/Energy_Innovation_at_DoD.pdf

Chicago

Sarewitz, Daniel, Samuel Thernstrom, John Alic, and Travis Doom. ENERGY INNOVATION at the DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE. Clean Air Task Force, 2012. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/21093611/Energy_Innovation_at_DoD.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sarewitz |first1=Daniel |last2=Thernstrom |first2=Samuel |last3=Alic |first3=John |last4=Doom |first4=Travis |title=ENERGY INNOVATION at the DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=March 2012 |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/21093611/Energy_Innovation_at_DoD.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sarewitz2012energy, author = {Sarewitz, Daniel and Thernstrom, Samuel and Alic, John and Doom, Travis}, title = {{ENERGY INNOVATION at the DEPARTMENT of DEFENSE}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2012}, month = mar, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/21093611/Energy_Innovation_at_DoD.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }