ONR, Marine Corps show alternative energy use at forward operating bases can save dollars, lives
ONR, Marine Corps show alternative energy use at forward operating bases can save dollars, lives
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US Navy photo by John Williams
bases, as well as implement the Department of the Navy's vision for
energy efficiency, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and elements
within the Marine Corps have successfully demonstrated their goal to
reduce petroleum and energy usage in remote locations in Afghanistan.
"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," said Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, chief of
naval research.
"We have successfully transitioned commercial alternative energy
systems to Afghanistan to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and
batteries," he added. "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."
Marine Corps officials said at an Experimental Forward Operating Base
Executive Integrated Product Team (EIPT) meeting held in January the
results from Afghanistan have been remarkable.
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. 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.
"The demo [was] successful because the ExFOB team trained the Marines
of 3/5 on the strengths and limits of renewable and energy efficient
technologies that are being employed," said Col. Bob Charette, director
of the USMC Expeditionary Energy Office (E2O). "I believe our young
Marines are more accepting of renewable energy technology because of all
the discussion in the media and society regarding 'green' energy," he
added.
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 percent 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.
"We were looking for technologies that could have immediate impact on
getting Marines off the roads hauling fuel and water," Charette added.
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.
ONR proposed establishing a "test bed" at Quantico in order to
identify and demonstrate mature technologies. This concept was adopted
as the ExFOB. ONR funded the initial effort and continues to support it
through its Western Area Research, Test, and Evaluation Center facility
at (Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center) 29 Palms," Solhan said.
Early results identified several mature "green" energy technologies,
as well as several water purification systems. "More importantly, it
defined follow-on ExFOB efforts at 29 Palms and provided baseline
information leading to the development of the USMC Energy Strategy."
Solhan said.
The second ExFOB built in the Southern California desert at 29 Palms
closely mimicked the characteristics of the Afghanistan environment,
Solhan said. The Marines also purchased several hybrid energy
technologies for this demonstration that went beyond the initial ExFOB
and will show a greater savings for Marines, Charette added.
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