Sailors kicked off a series of events in Hawaii April 2 to highlight efforts to achieve energy security and sustainability in recognition of Earth Day and Earth Month.

Those efforts include informing the public about operational and technical innovations using biofuels.

Joelle Simonpietri of U.S. Pacific Command's Energy Innovation and Experimentation Division and Lt. Cmdr. Robert Franklin III, operations officer for Commander Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific (CNSG MIDPAC), discussed the latest scientific developments and operational impacts of renewable sources of energy during an interview, April 2.

Simonpietri partnered with the Navy to develop "drop in" fuel, able to be used in any tank or piece of equipment without having to modify the system. Drop-ins will not require special handling, mixing or any modifications to engines.

Using samples showing the transformation from tiny seed to fully functional fuel, Simonpietri described fuel spent in 2012's Rim of the Pacific exercise, "derived from Camelina seeds, which are grown up in the Idaho area, and algae, similar to the kind that is grown on the big island in Kona," she said.

Advanced biofuels can be produced from numerous sources and scientists are working to develop pressed leftover sugarcane pulp (bagasse) from Maui, Hawaii, as a potential biofuel feedstock for jet fuel.

Without any modification to tanks or systems, drop-in fuels can immediately impact Navy units at sea, according to Franklin. "Joelle finds it and I burn it," he said.

As an operator Franklin is focused not only on alternative fuel but also energy conservation.

"When our deployed ships are more energy efficient they can go further and stay on station longer," Franklin said.

CNSG MIDPAC provides incentive through its Energy Conservation Award, providing a "report card and utility bill so they can see how much they are using and how much they are conserving compared to our other Hawaii-based ships," he said.

The initiative is not just for units at sea but also while in port, and MIDPAC has seen significant results from its initiative.

"Since 2011, we're burning 4.8 percent less at sea and 8.6 percent less when we're plugged into the piers at Pearl Harbor," Franklin said.

While April is designated as Earth Month, Navy Region Hawaii works to conserve energy and actively pursue viable sources of alternative energy year-round.

"Earth Day -- Earth Month -- is another opportunity to highlight the progress we're making to achieve energy security and sustainability," said Rear Adm. Rick Williams, Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. "This is a year-round, ongoing effort for us here in Hawaii where we have a team approach with many stakeholders and partners. We understand that energy security and environmental stewardship are key to the success of our mission."

Reducing fuel burn and transitioning to renewables has several benefits, Williams noted.

"Changing the cost curve through renewables means less reliance on fossil fuels," he said. "That means saving money on expensive extraction and transportation, which also preserves the environment. Renewables provide a diversified portfolio of options for better planning, predictability and investments."

Innovation and competition are leading away from dependence