Developing New Energy Solutions for the Military

The Department of Defense is the biggest energy consumer in the United States, accounting for approximately one percent of all energy use. The United States’ military consumes 77% of the government’s energy needs.

Army operations and deployments need to be energy resilient. They need the support of new energy solutions to sustain the environments they must work, train, and live in. It mitigates risk to Army forces and supports defense-critical infrastructure.

Here’s how the future is shaping up for the United States military.

Protecting Critical Infrastructure

The military needs power. The mission-critical infrastructure uses communication networks and electric grids to run.

Cyber operators use power to prevent cyber-attacks from foreign adversaries. It could be for operating an unmanned plane.

However, there are risks to military installations beyond adversary conflict. Natural disasters such as wildfires and devastating storms can shut down power grids. This makes operational access challenging and dangerous.

That is why investments in clean energy and storage systems are essential. Keeping installations operating keeps critical defense missions running. Thus, clean energy will protect the United States and its citizens.

The Challenges With Today’s Energy Storage System

Many rely on imported batteries. This creates potential vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Take lithium, for example. Most energy storage applications rely on it. Many states have substantial quantities of lithium.

However, currently, there is only one mine in North America in operation. Therefore, the DoD may invoke the DPA or the Defense Production Act if they wish. When a domestic supply chain that can accommodate the manufacturing capacity for critical materials is needed, like lithium, the DPA is an option.

Specific to securing materials for national security assets and military installations, using DPA authority could speed up development.

The Role of the Department of Energy

The DOE can provide technical and intelligence capabilities. After all, they are the energy sector. They can assess market opportunities for battery deployments and analyze grid threats to military bases.

Equally important is for the DOE to focus on research and development for microgrid controls and long-duration energy storage.

New Energy Technology

The US Army could achieve its energy technology objectives with zero-emission vehicles. However, this would be for their non-tactical fleet.

The Army refers to this objective as the “Army Climate Strategy.” To meet the future challenges that climate change creates, the Army is looking to develop a non-tactical vehicle fleet that is all electric by 2035. The goal is to boost energy efficiency and reduce the U.S. Army’s reliance on petroleum.

The Army has a goal currently of ordering over 2,000 zero-emission vehicles. Further, they want to increase this number yearly as more models are available.

Along with a growing fleet, the Army must create the infrastructure to accommodate them quickly. This means having charging stations in place.

Climate Change and Military Planning

Extreme weather results from climate change, impacting installations and military operations. Catastrophic weather can cause tremendous damage to military infrastructure.

The US Army must prepare installations to withstand shifting temperatures and large amounts of precipitation. Not only that, but it accommodates shrinking coastlines as water levels rise.

Many Army facilities today are not new. Due to their age, weather events are creating a challenging environment. Today’s Army Installations, both new and old, need to be mission ready with energy and water.

Army installations must be equipped to conduct mission-critical operations.

Microgrids

This is a local electrical system. A microgrid can disconnect from a power grid to operate independently. This is how the Army can get power during outages, increasing energy independence.

To meet the demands for energy resilience, the Army has a goal by 2035 to install a microgrid in all Army Installations. Today, the US Army has 28 microgrids in operation. Nine more microgrids are under construction, and there are 18 more in the design phase.

Greening the Military

Increasing the Army’s energy efficiency and resilience means investing in carbon-free electricity projects. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar panels, are highly beneficial. Meanwhile, the US Army is exploring ways to boost capacity by storing and re-using renewable energy.

This requires acquiring new energy technology. Further, the US Army needs to improve its new infrastructure with a reliable supply chain. With recent supply chain challenges, access to the right sources can be unpredictable, not to mention costly.

To create efficient installations, the US Army must seek innovative partners. This includes working directly with local and state utility organizations for private utility operations. Privatization allows Army commanders to dedicate time and resources to mission-critical operations.

Addressing Global Warming

Plus, the Army has plans to train its personnel on climate challenges. With military exercises, they wish to lower the Army’s carbon footprint. Now, it is theoretical, at least until they can decide on an actual budget.

The Defense Department creates huge ripples with its vast footprint. Of the federal government’s carbon footprint, the Defense Department accounts for 56%. Also, they account for 52% of electricity use.

The Great Green Fleet

In 2016, a year-long event deployed by the Navy, the Great Green Fleet, showed how the military is committed to reducing fossil fuel use. The Great Green Fleet was a 50/50 mix of ships with hybrid-electric propulsion technology. It combines nuclear power, fuel cells, diesel, and biofuels.

This is to lower greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the United States’ dependence on foreign oil.

When ships can be more efficient with their energy use, they can deliver more firepower and travel further distances. They can stay at sea longer, too, making them more flexible. Further, Marines are safer when ships spend less time tied to oilers for refueling.

TGER: Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery Program

This program aims to use tactical biorefineries that can be easily deployed. The biorefineries turn garbage into composite gas, benign ash, and ethanol. US soldiers would be able to add a little diesel to this mixture, and they could create fuel that would power a generator and produce electricity.

This process has many advantages. It cuts waste, and it saves money on energy and vehicle fuel.

Biofuel for Jets

The Air Force produces a tremendous amount of carbon emissions and pollution resulting from their jet fuel use. They make more carbon emissions than the Marines, Navy, and Army combined. That is why some aircraft use alternative energy sources, including biofuel blends, to help the Earth and reduce emissions.

Additional Renewable Energy Projects

There are many exciting and innovative plans coming to fruition. The US military introduced solar-powered backpacks and blankets. These magnificent inventions can recharge their communications equipment batteries.

As a soldier walks or rests, they can power their equipment.

The Army is considering thermoelectric power as a hypothetical energy source. Electric is generated from a slight temperature gradient on a soldier between their skin and the surrounding air. It could come in the form of a helmet or clothing.

Electrons transfer from the hot side of a wearable device to the cold side. This generates an electric current. Thermoelectric power would drastically reduce battery weight. This makes for a renewable energy source that is easier to carry.

Floating Solar

In Fort Liberty, North Carolina, the Army introduced a floating solar array at Big Muddy Lake. During blackouts, this would give their training facility backup power. North Carolina is no stranger to hurricanes, so much technology is critical.

Not only that, but the solar farm receives the cooling effect from the water. This generates a lot more electricity than the typical solar panel can achieve.

Better Quality of Life

New energy solutions are important for operations and missions. Equally important is how it improves the quality of life. Military installation resilience for power keeps soldiers and families safe, healthy, and happy.

Innovative approaches to energy and water place value on human life. Also, renewable energy gives the United States military freedom.

New Energy Solutions for the Military

The Earth is a gift. Everyone, including the United States military, must do their part to protect it. Fortunately, plans are in place for new energy solutions that are socially responsible and keep their people safe.

NSTXL is reigniting the United States’ competitive advantage. In the same way that the military is revolutionizing energy solutions, NSTXL is revolutionizing how the government approaches acquisition. Bringing advanced ideas to reality in half the time, NSTXL embraces collaboration, credibility, alignment, transparency, and competition.