Solar panels soak up rays and convert it to electricity while Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, dig a hole at Combat Center Range 220 July 26. The Marines, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., are utilizing the panels to power radios, laptop computers, lighting, ventilation and other systems. Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl

Marines, long known as innovators, are using cutting-edge energy technology that promises to make them leaner, meaner and a whole lot greener during an Experimental Forward Operating Base exercise at the Combat Center July 22-29.

Experiments like EXFOB are part of Gen. James T. Conway, the Commandant of the Marine Corps’ vision to ensure the Corps remains the premier, self-sufficient expeditionary force.

Marines from Company I, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., are the first military unit to use nothing but renewable energy to power their systems, as they take part in Enhanced Mojave Viper, a month-long combined arms pre-deployment training exercise, here.

The Marines used the Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy System, or GREENS, a portable power system developed for the Marine Corps which uses rechargeable batteries and solar panels to provide 300 watts of continuous electricity for Marines in remote locations and lessens the need for fuel resupply, reducing the associated threats to vehicle convoys in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to a Navy fact sheet.

“It’s going to make Marines more lethal because they will be able to move from one place to the other without having to wait for a logistics convoy to follow them around on the battlefield,” said Capt. Adorjan Ferenczy, an engineer officer at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab. “As technology develops we may even be able to eliminate the use of fossil fuels on the battle field.”

Marines used other high tech gear, including more durable, lightweight, and user-friendly tents, energy efficient lighting systems, and >PowerShades, field shelters with embedded solar panels that provide one to two kilowatts of energy to power radios, laptop computers, lighting and ventilation systems.

Marines take a moment to relax and escape the brutal Mojave Desert heat under a PowerShade at Combat Center Range 220 July 26. PowerShade, is a field shelter with embedded solar panels that provide one to two kilowatts of energy to power radios, laptop computers, lighting and ventilation systems.

This technology offers more than agility and efficiency, said Ferenczy, a Detroit native.
“The majority of casualties in combat right now are from IEDs and Marines delivering supplies to the troops who need it,” he said. “By reducing the amount of fuel and water transportation, we can take vehicles off the road, which we believe will save Marine lives.”

During EXFOB, Company I ran their equipment on solar and battery power for more than 192 continuous hours. This led to a saving of approximately eight gallons of fuel per day, which would have been used to power generators and vehicles, Ferenczy said.

The low-levels of maintenance required to run the system has also been a substantial benefit as well, he said.

“These are very simple systems,” Ferenczy said. “You’re not always worried about doing preventative maintenance on a generator or vehicle to power the [command operation center].”

Sgt. Gregory Wenzel, an intelligence analyst with Company I, who has been on six deployments and has seen the many ways Marines use to power-up, said this expeditionary energy system is the best.

“As far as disadvantages, I really haven’t seen any,” said Wenzel, from Altoona, Pa. “You don’t need any fuel, it’s much quieter than a generator but can still power any electrical asset you need.”

First Lt. Stephen Cooney, the executive officer of the company, said he was in awe of the array of benefits the solar sources provided for his Marines.

“As far as benefits go at the company level it’s easy to see,” said the Sacramento, Calif., native. “You have virtually no issues with power, and you’re supplying everything internally.
“The Marines gain so much too from having the [PowerShade],” he said. “They have shelter during the day when they’re not training or operating and they have lights at night as well.”

Ferenczy said the technology is still being closely monitored and evaluated, but he added that after the testing is complete, 3rd Bn., 5th Marines, is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan with this new technology this fall.

DVIDS
Story by Lance Cpl. Michael Nerl

Mahdi Jonny, an electrical engineer with the Joint Projects Management Office, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, checks the wiring on a series of solar panels on the roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic in Gazaliyah, Aug. 12. Photo by Sgt. Joshua Risner, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic here in the Gazaliyah district looks a little different from the buildings surrounding it. Two rows of solar panels, collecting the bountiful Mesopotamian sunlight, now provide the building’s power through solar powered battery systems.

The addition is part of an ongoing effort by the Joint Projects Management Office (JPMO) of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, according to Maj. Andrew Attar, from Bristol, Conn., the JPMO chief.

“The solar panel project started in April, but like most of the clinics in Baghdad, various American funding sources have gone into it over the years,” said Attar. “The solar panels help to augment the electrical grid which is improving every day but still not consistent enough for a medical facility.”

Solar power has greatly improved operations inside the clinic, which services the local area, according to Attar.

“It pretty much powers the entire clinic,” he said. “We’ve had to reduce the number of refrigerated air conditioning units, but in their place we put air units that have less energy needs and still provide cool air.”

The JPMO inspected the solar power system to ensure that it was working efficiently and correctly, Attar explained.

“We inspected the [solar] panels but more importantly we inspected the internal wiring within the clinic to make sure the loads are properly segregated,” he said. “Some rooms require a lot of energy, some rooms require very little energy, so that is one of the finishing touches – if it’s not done right, it’s a problem. We’re making sure that a room requiring a lot of energy has the proper wiring so it can handle the load.”

Attar added that the quality assurance/quality control aspect of the project is equally important.

“Our job is to make sure that the money that the American tax payers are spending is used in accordance with the statement of work agreed upon by us and the contractors,” he said. “We don’t pay until the work’s done right.”

The New Iraq Health Clinic is the third clinic in Baghdad to receive solar powered battery systems, according to Attar.

DVIDS
By Sgt. Joshua Risner

In an effort to create a green environment, coalition forces are proposing to the Iraqis to build a reusable energy system with a combination wind turbine power plant and solar panels to support Iraqi border fort outpost around the country. This will provide a reliable power source to the watch tower and it would require minimal logistical chain to support the Iraqi Security Forces.

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, J7 Engineering is developing a concept to utilize renewable energy for future security of Iraq’s border, and using solar energy as a source of power for all the border outposts is a step in the right direction. The proposed location for the test project is the Al Shiha Outpost South; it was recently built by the Government of Iraq and is in excellent condition. The site has been previously wired, but it doesn’t have a power source installed. This location is accessible for trucks and can easily be monitored from COP Shocker, Zurbatiyah, Iraq.

The costs associated with completing this project is $220K—this includes site prep, wiring of the tower, power controlling, inverter and batteries. Solar panels and controllers will be part of the cost component, with the majority of funding being allocated for mobilization, design, profit and Golf Region District Army Corps of Engineers fees.

This wind turbine is the most economical option for the Iraqis as a power source because it provides 2,000 watts of energy with average wind above 14 mph, 24 hours a day without a generator or associated logistics. Solar panels will also be used because the location can provide 6 hours of full sunlight a day. There will be a portable room heater available for the winter months and equipment for cooling of electronics for the summer months. The batteries will provide backup power to the plant for 10 hours with no wind, and longer if power usage is conserved. Currently, they use car batteries primarily to keep the radios operational. The inspection and maintenance on the wind turbine will occur yearly, with periodic inspections of the batteries, terminal lugs and other electronic devices used to assist in its operation. For optimal performance, the system should be kept in a clean, dry space between 50 and 80 degrees fahrenheit.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Tom Williams, Ph.D, P.E. Planning, MNSTC-I stated, “MNSTC-I’s role is to build the infrastructure so the Department of Border Enforcement can achieve their mission of protecting the borders. We are pushing to complete this project with ISF funds by the end of this fiscal year so we can hand over the concept to the GoI for their considerartion and possible implementation. This is a step towards the United States and Iraq meeting the requirements of the Security Agremment.”

MNF-I

Staff Sgt. Stewart Raring removes a solar pathfinder from a snow machine Dec. 16, 2008, at a remote operating facility in the Pacific Alaska Range Complex in Alaska.

Staff Sgt. Stewart Raring removes a solar pathfinder from a snow machine Dec. 16, 2008, at a remote operating facility in the Pacific Alaska Range Complex in Alaska. The solar pathfinder will measure the intensity of sunlight for an entire year to evaluate “going green” by using solar panels to operate the facility instead of the propane that is currently being used. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Laura Max)

Staff Sgt. Stewart Raring captures a digital image of the solar pathfinder readings Dec. 16, 2008, at a remote operating facility in Alaska.

Staff Sgt. Stewart Raring captures a digital image of the solar pathfinder readings Dec. 16, 2008, at a remote operating facility in Alaska. A solar pathfinder shows the year-round, site-specific solar data to determine the best location and angle to setup solar panels. Currently Det. 460 officials plan on constructing a solar hybrid power system at seven different locations replacing their current propane power source saving more than $100,000 in maintenance and refueling over a five-year period. He is assigned to Det. 460 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jonathan Snyder)