Green Energy for the Battlefield

Tuesday, July 01 2008 Solar heating provides heat to both water and space. For water heating, the Sun heats water or a heat transferring liquid. The water is then stored in a collection tank (or the heat transferring liquid heats the water). Conventional heating systems provide any additional heat. For heat or air conditioning, the air routes through a solar collector and the collector adds or removes heat depending on the season.

Nuclear power is another alternative energy source. It is renewable and domestically produced. In a nuclear power plant, the reactor core heats the water and produces steam, which turns a turbine generator and produces electricity. This process is extremely effective and efficient; nuclear reactors currently generate about 8% of the U.S. electricity usage. The greatest challenge of nuclear power is the disposal of radioactive waste.

Potential Battlefield Uses

The military operates in two distinct situations — home and deployed. When considering green energy for military uses, it is important to understand the difference. While a military unit is at its home base, the unit is primarily engaged in training operations. Additionally, the military can acquire energy from a stable source. In a deployed environment, the military cannot rely on a stable energy source or a stable energy distribution network.

The green energy application must meet, or even exceed, mission requirements. Next, the green energy application must improve the environment. Renewable energy sources must provide the same amount and duration of power as its counterparts, and must not put the soldier in more danger or require additional logistics support.

Green energy for the battlefield has the potential to reduce the logistics tail and improve mission effectiveness. Several renewable energy sources immediately rule themselves out for potential use on the battlefield. These sources require very large fixed structures, long lead times to build, and often use hazardous materials. Hydropower requires the battlefield be close to a large water source. Geothermal sources also require time to drill and place pipes into the earth. Wind power is extremely location specific. Nuclear power requires even more time to build the plant, not to mention the energy source is inherently dangerous, especially in a war zones. On the other hand, one shining potential candidate for battlefield use is solar power. Biomass also shows potential.

Green energy has great potential to benefit the soldier on the battlefield. Up to this point, the acquisition and application of this technology has been haphazard. In some instances, technologies already exist and are being applied. Green energy offers a solution to the energy crisis, improving national security, reducing emissions, and controlling costs. Furthermore, green energy for the battlefield potentially improves the effectiveness of the individual soldier and the U.S. military as a whole.

This article was written by Major Stephanie D. Halcrow of the U.S. Air Force. For more information, click here.