The market is “screaming” for all-in-one solutions, Smartflower’s co-founder Alexander Swatek said in an interview.
“Armed forces in many countries are viewing renewables as an important option from the point of view of security of supply and diversity of energy sources,” said Angus McCrone, an analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Armies represent “large customers not directly exposed to the macroeconomic cycle” who are willing to try out new technologies, he said.
Energy Efficiency
The U.S. Army has said it plans to install 1 gigawatt of renewable capacity at bases by 2025.
Commanders also want to learn from civilian efforts to raise energy efficiency and squeeze the most from conventional fuels to cut the number of supply convoys that are among their most dangerous missions. For every gallon of fuel NATO uses in countries like Afghanistan, it needs another five gallons to transport the fuel there, Sorin Ducaru, Nato’s assistant secretary general for emerging security challenges, wrote in the European Security and Defence Union magazine last month.
“For renewables the return on investment is still a long time,” Michaelis said. “We get much more fuel reduction by installing microgrids, insulated tents and changing behavior.”
Green Diesel
Along with deploying solar, wind and biomass for power generation at permanent bases, the U.S. Department of Defense is using smaller-scale renewables like solar-powered battery chargers to cut weight and enhance the mobility of its troops, according to Mark Wright, a spokesman for the department in Washington.
It’s not only U.S.-led forces that are taking advantage of renewables. Eni SpA last year fueled a 1,500-metric-ton Italian Navy patrol boat with 30 tons of diesel fuel from biomass. Multicon Solar, based in Duisburg, Germany, offers a container-based power plant that can be unloaded and producing electricity in 30 minutes. The ability of regular soldiers to deploy the new technology is key.
“You don’t need an expert technician on the ground,” Multicon Executive Manager Sven Leinardi said. “Anyone can start it up.”