ONR, USMC successfully demonstrate alternative energy systems at forward operating bases in Afghanistan
26 January 2011
To cut down on convoys trucking fuel to forward operating bases, as well as to implement the Department of the Navy’s vision for energy efficiency, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and elements within the US Marine Corps (USMC) have successfully demonstrated their goal to reduce petroleum and energy usage in remote locations in Afghanistan.
The 3rd Battalion 5th Marines (3/5), who are forward deployed in Afghanistan, have successfully demonstrated the Ground Renewable Energy Networks (GREENS), Solar Portable Alternative Communications Energy Systems (SPACES) LED lighting systems, Solar Shades, and Solar Light Trailers. Marine Corps officials said at an Experimental Forward Operating Base (ExFOB) Executive Integrated Product Team (EIPT) meeting held in January that the results from Afghanistan have been remarkable.
The early results from the front indicate the ability of ONR and its Marine Corps partners to make a difference in survivability and efficiency for our warfighters. We have successfully transitioned commercial alternative energy systems to Afghanistan to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and batteries. By doing so, there is potential for the Marine Corps to cut back the number of resupply convoys to these remote locations and save lives by keeping Marines clear of IED attacks.
—Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of naval research
The ExFOB EIPT is the body that guides the demonstration effort. It meets at least once a quarter at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab (MCWL), Quantico, Va. The ExFOB EIPT is planning to conduct an evaluation later this year.
“We were looking for technologies that could have immediate impact on getting Marines off the roads hauling fuel and water.” |
—Col. Bob Charette, director, USMC Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O) |
By deploying SPACES, a lightweight solar panel system which can also recharge batteries, the 3/5 was able to conduct extended patrols away from their FOB without the need for battery resupply. The 3/5 also powered two patrol bases with renewable energy.
At larger sites, fuel used to power generators was reduced to two to three gallons a day, from 25 gallons, using GREENS, a 300-watt, photovoltaic/battery system, which provides continuous power to Marines in the field. That resulted in a 90% reduction in fuel use, Marine Corps officials said at the ExFOB IPT briefing.
The ExFOB is now embraced by the Marines, and the MCWL, Marine Corps System Command (MARCORPSYSCOM), E2O, the Capabilities Development Directorate and ONR. They have all played a vital role to ensure the concept moves forward.
The idea for ExFOB was first raised in 2009 by ONR’s George Solhan, the deputy chief of naval research, Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism. ONR issued a request for information (RFI) to help the Marine Corps rapidly assess industry’s capabilities to provide off-the-shelf solutions.
About 100 vendors responded to the RFI with a variety of ideas for water purification, power generation technologies and energy-efficient shelters. ONR, MCWL, and MARCORSYSCOM subsequently selected vendors representing the diversity of potential technical solutions. ONR then extended invitations for those vendors to participate in an ExFOB demonstration at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, in March 2010.
In addition to inviting industry participants, ONR has invested $1.6 million, in both dollars and technologies, toward ExFOB. The total ExFOB cost to date is $3.9 million, Solhan said.
This is a major step in warfare modernization to reduce dependence on difficult to transport fuels.
Who said that warfare could not be electrified?
The next step may to electrify pilot less drones and mass produce them by the thousands to replace foot soldiers and other planes.
Posted by: HarveyD | 26 January 2011 at 01:42 PM
What's rather ironic when looking at Navy and energy issues is to reckon with NRL's pioneering work in LENR. At some point someone in DOD is going to have to reckon with this rather startling and public disclosure of experiments regularly demonstrating overunity production of heat.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 26 January 2011 at 07:43 PM
This is great stuff - it shows how crazy it is using diesel to generate electricity in sunny places.
As battery chargers, solar cells are ideal.
But this is a special case.
Most people can just plug into the mains and pay for electricity at ~20c/KwH - They do not have to pay with their friends lives - so the payoff is huge.
You would hope that the idea of using PV to reduce diesel usage would percolate up the chain of command and get the army to reduce it energy usage in general.
And then perhaps the generals could get the politicians to reduce the nation's energy use, so fewer of their boys would have to die.
Posted by: mahonj | 27 January 2011 at 01:11 AM
This is good exposure for PVs. The soldiers who work with it abroad will come home and think, "I want one of those for my house".
Posted by: danm | 27 January 2011 at 05:11 AM