Green Energy for a More Efficient Defense

Posted in Energy

Green energy and the U.S. Military

Energy Security for the United States

Green Energy for a More Efficient Defense

There is a direct correlation between energy and National Security. As large and important as the U.S. military is around the world, we have a responsibility to be more efficient with our energy use. Smart decisions are required for monitory and energy sake, but most importantly, smart decisions are necessary so that our military men and women can do their jobs efficiently.

Clean Energy Economy

Energy security for the nation is attainable with a robust energy strategy and investments in the future with a clean energy economy. Clean energy is our path for the future. We are also interested in energy security for reasons of our own. National security and energy security are co-dependent, and directly related to one another.

The human dimension in this connection between national security and energy is obvious. Soldiers go on the road in conveys to protect fuel supplies, which is a task that is critical. But because of the inefficiencies, there are many solders that are on the road protecting our supply lines who are guarding conveys and in some cases, injured while on the duty.

Global Energy Supply and Demand

Overall global supply and demand dynamics for petroleum is driving the geo-statistic element. It affects our planning and missions. Supply is highly concentrated in some regions and demand is growing. There is a large supply in China and India which is a good thing because it is helping millions of people come out of poverty.

Change in the Energy Sector is Slow

Technology change in the energy sector is slow. Technology has flipped within the last decade. Instead of personal CDs and tapes, we are moving mobile with personal audio/video. The stimulus for clean energy is there, but energy is a difficult and volatile market. The scale of petroleum, for example, is such that 98 million barrels of oil are used per day around the world. The global energy security balance is changing. It is volatile and continues to be so. It shapes nations and policies.

Strategic Environment

The U.S. Department of Defense is a big user of energy because of the mission and the nature of their mission. Globally deployed forces have a wide range of missions, homeland defiance, humanitarian assistance, cyber threats and rising powers. A very broad range of missions and needs require a very unusual military that needs to be agile and flexible and requires a vast amount of energy.

Energy Use and Cost of the Department of Defense

The D.O.D. uses energy for operations and facilities. Facilities are military bases – 2.3 billion square feet – equates to over 4 billion dollars per year in energy use. The Air Force uses 52.6% and the Navy uses 26.3% of operational energy. Soldiers on the field in Afghanistan, for example, do not use a lot of energy but it is difficult to get the energy to them. Operational energy use is not an area that was traditionally managed, but rather it was an assumption. Further, the lessons of the wars that we are involved in have brought home to us that we do need to manage this. 63% of the energy used outside the continental United States is vast and growing. Indeed, 1.7 million billions of petroleum per day is used in Afghanistan. 2/3 of the nations oil is used in the D.O.D., in missions and training.

Where does all the fuel go?

Cargo planes, Tankers, Destroyers, are big users of energy.

Challenges of the D.O.D.

We have to move a lot of fuel and doing so in a war is very complicated. WE are moving fuel through complicated distribution networks in some places there are not even roads. Difficult supply lines are very long and infrastructure is difficult so a lot of the fuel is moved by air, which is expensive. Our military is very extensive and the energy use is vast. Donkeys carrying a generator to combat posts are not unusual. It is hard to move energy in remote areas.

Going Forward

We have seen attacks on our supply lines. Suicide vests and other attacks are a real threat while we need to devise more military capability using less fuel is the goal. Supply lines are long and difficult to sustain. Weapons that are laser guided and precise are more prevalent and because we have a big supply line, it is more problematic. Ships are re-fueled at sea, and our equipment is used for decades. This equipment needs fuel so it is in our interest to learn how to use our fuel better and more efficiently.

Global energy markets in 40 years will be different. Supply lines, fuel and logistics are always a target in a time of war.

Contingency Basis – One of the Challenges

Contingency bases – shelters where people live and work are at times made of plywood, all of which require electric power for habitation, command, and logistics. That electricity is generated by generators. By placing combat outposts in far away locations, we have a strategic advantage but it is a difficult thing to do – power command outposts in far away locations. Increasingly the high cost of ground conveys are driving our fuel use, and it is expensive.

D.O.D.'s Operational Energy Strategy

More fight – less fuel. Reduce demand for energy in military operations.
More options – less risk. Expand and secure the supply of energy to military operations, such as solar use.
More capability – less cost. Build energy security into the future of force. Everything we are building uses more, not less energy. And we need to change this in order to defend the country in the future.

Demand for Energy in the D.O.D.

Diesel
Solar panels
More education
Centralized power generations
More efficient shelters
Hybrid electric drives for ships
Efficiency improvements
Improved routing of planes
Changes in engines, the advent engine is a highly efficient engine that is being looked at to help the air force move forward through changes in the body shapes of planes

Green Energy and Defense

Solar battery chargers are more often used in the D.O.D. Batteries, wearable solar technologies for mobile power generation., and lightweight efficient and universal batteries are being used more often than not. Energy storage is very important for the D.O.D. The goal of energy efficiency is not just about making things better, but doing things differently.
Unmanned vehicles powered by solar are, for example, technologies for the future. Advanced fuels, legacy equipment was built to use petroleum fuels and because of the volatility of those supply lines, the D.O.D. is looking into advanced fuels.

How we buy and where we buy it is complicating and energy is considered throughout. Billions of dollars for decisions are at stake and we have to get it right. We need to have the capability to defend our country in the future so the impact of these decisions are crucial.

Operational Energy = Operational Capability

The D.O.D. is committed to reducing the burden of fuel from its operational and tactical commands to the greatest extent possible. Military leadership gets the importance of this and is being put into motion so that the United States can figure out a way to unleash itself from the tether of fuel dependence from other sources.

We owe it to our forces to need less. We need to use different energy so that we have an advantage. Clean energy is the future of our economy and the future of our defense.

For more information, visit the Department of Defense web site at Energy.defense.gov

Selling to your Existing Customers with Website Hosting Tools

Posted in Business

Selling to Existing Customers with a Website Hosting Account

Sales through Existing Customers

Existing customers are a gold mine for businesses that should not be overlooked. Everyone is so busy running around trying to get new customers, that at many times, companies can overlook the sales potential within their existing client base. Existing clients are familiar with your company, they know your product or service and they know what to expect, therefore, it is easier to sell to an existing client. Plus, the cost of acquiring new customers is more expensive than existing customers. A small percentage of your customers are the majority of the business that is coming in so its important to focus on those customers.

Website Hosting to Increase Sales

Selling to an existing customer is a campaign that businesses should take seriously, and to that end, each and every company should have a website hosting account with a reputable firm so that they have access to the important online marketing tools.

Deciding how you want your website to progress can be a hard task. Analyze your primary interests and what really makes you tick before deciding which one to focus on. Pick a topic you are knowledgeable and passionate about. Creating a tangible goal will make it much easier to market your website. Most web hosting firms offer email lists, content management systems, shopping carts, and databases which can be used in order to not only attract more business but market to an existing client base.

Some online business owners mess up by having a confusing site. Professional website designers often use multimedia tools such as Microsoft Silverlight and Adobe Flash as ways of tempting novice website owners. The smart website owners will not include fancy technology, as they know it will drive away visitors that do not want to bother with multimedia tools. A site should be able to function well, without needing all the fancy technology. So how does a small business owner achieve a professional website design without programming knowledge or experience? Content management systems are a real time saver are a must-have for the small business owner. Take advantage of WordPress hosting, Joomla hosting, and Drupal hosting options. These tools are free with most web hosting accounts offered by leading hosts.

Marketing Online

As you begin your online marketing, you must also consider advertising. When you market your niche, you will see how much of a success it will create. This helps get business with customers who wouldn't otherwise have found your site. Social media should be a large part of your marketing online and can help mold your company's relationship management strategy with clients or potential clients. Relationship management through social media, is different than just a social media strategy, it is a relationship strategy. For example, when a company travels, they contact the customers in that city and host a dinner for those people. During the dinner, they do not pitch them. Instead they just talk to them and help them to network with the other people at the dinner. This is helpful for the attendees because they live in the same area, and it builds a loyal client base for the company. Goodwill grows and the company's brand prospers.

Mid-Sized Business or Small Businesses owners can generate new income opportunities. Use phrases like "limited edition" or "special edition" in your online adverting. People tend to covet items that are given some sort of uniqueness and this will allow them to purchase your times quickly.

Mobile marketing is something every business owner needs to consider using. You could, for instance, send out mobile alerts when you are having a special sale. It's a really good and new way to advertise online with your own Internet marketing campaign.

Tips for Marketing to your Existing Client Base:

R - relevant marketing.

How do you market in such a way that is relevant to existing customers? Research your typical customer and find out what is important to them. In order to sell to a certain group of people, you must know them first.

O - orchestrated customer experience.

Every touch point a customer has with you and your company, either online, your retail store, an advertisement, walking into your retail store -- every single piece is important—including when they use your product, taking it out of the box, recycling it. You don't want to leave it to chance you want to make sure you orchestrate all of these touch points so that it tells the message that you want.

C - customer focused culture.

Create a PR page which your business could use as a possible marketing strategy. Try to add fresh, unique content that will get published in newspapers and online magazines. This is a terrific way to establish your business' reputation in the community. The best website hosting providers offer WordPress for free, which makes it easy to blog and add fresh content to your website without calling a programmer.

K - killer customer service.

Most people think that with existing customers, customer service is what is most important. And although it is important, you still need to do the relevant marketing, the orchestrated customer experience and the customer focused culture to make it all come together. Not just customer service, but killer customer service. What is killer customer service? It's service that is so great that your customers want to shout about it in a positive way.

Reputation Management Online

It is important to research how people feel about your product or brand, specifically if you are promoting an online event or sale. See how often your online events and other promotions are shared, either on social networks or in related blogs and forums. Then add in their advice so that people feel like you're listening to them.

The kind of customer that can refer future business is larger than most companies recognize. They typically say that 80% of your business comes from 20% of your client base, but merely 5% of those customers become a true advocate of your business.

You should write action-oriented emails to your customers that encourage their follow up. Buying services, visiting web pages or subscribing to certain magazines are a few ways that your clients can be engaged. The important thing is to have an action you'd like them to take. Since you can track these actions, you will be able to see how effective your marketing efforts are.

How can businesses discover who their advocates are?

Most businesses do not recognize who their advocates are. Advocates can be people that are often writing on your Facebook page, or those that take the time to fill out your survey. People in the general public that are out there talking about your store or product. The customers that you as a business owner KNOW, recognize, and remember can be a company advocate.

Online Marketing through your Website

Don't throw in the towel if you experience a few bumps on the road. You might just be doing one or two things wrong that you could easily change. Make sure you are organized and have everything ready when you are trying to sell your products or services. Choose vendors and business partners that are reputable and have positive reputations online. This includes each and every vendor your company partners with, from your website hosting firm to your business card printing service. Remain dedicated and in time, your business will have a more established reputation from which to rely on. Success in any pursuit requires dedication and work and Internet marketing is no exception. That said, this work is what will make you successful in the end.