It takes a lot of fuel to keep the U.S. military going, a fact that’s not lost on the Department of Defense (DoD). So the agency has crafted a plan called the “Operational Energy Strategy” that aims to dramatically improve efficiency and produce it own sources of energy — which includes renewables — both at home and on the battlefield.

GE’s Txchnologist blog has compiled a list of some of the steps the DoD is taking to reach its green goals. Here’s one of the highlights:

Net zero energy bases. Forward-thinking urban architects have long championed the idea of constructing buildings that generate as much energy from renewable sources as they use. Now the military wants in. While net zero is difficult to achieve, it’s an aspirational goal that drives gains in energy efficiency and conservation and on-site generation. Several bases, including Fort Carson, Colo., are currently attempting to go net zero.

Other initiatives include fuel-efficient cargo-hauling drones, solar outposts and hybrid powerplants in the unlikeliest of places. Those are some pretty ambitious projects, but recent history suggests that they have a strong chance at success. Already, military bases like the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, Georgia are tapping into renewable energy and LEED Gold-certified construction to keep power consumption in check and generate more of their own electricity.

You can read the rest of Txchnologist’s rundown of green military tech — complete with a handy gallery — by clicking here.

Image credit: USMC