America’s North Shore Journal has covered the growth of the use of solar power in Iraq for some time. We had a Bloggers’ Roundtable on December 12 2008 that provided more detail on the program.

Street lighting has been the most frequent use of solar power. Lighting streets and markets provides an added measure of security for the Iraqi people and the Coalition troops on patrol.

In the Fallujah region, about 800 lights have been installed with another 6-700 planned. They utilize a lead acid battery for electrical storage and light come from an 18 watt fluorescent bulb.

In the Baghdad region over 5,000 lights have been installed. Lighting here is through sodium bulbs. An additional 2,000 lights are scheduled for Southern Iraq, in the Basra region.

The Ministry of Electricity, working with the United States and other partners, is putting together a residential solar package. If the testing matches vendor claims, a single package will generate 2.68 kilowatts. That would provide an Iraqi household with an average of 12 hours of electricity. It would not support air conditioning but would provide for the other electrical demands of a normal household.

Current cost of the package is $15,000. Projected life is 25 years and they would be nearly maintenance free. The only maintenance necessary is regular cleaning for the solar panel.

In a nation like Iraq where the electric grid is outdated and subject to terrorist attack, the use of solar power makes sense. Iraq has more than enough intense sunlight to ensure that the panels generate electricity with maximum efficiently.

Joining the BRT from Iraq were Dr. Ali Allak, an expert on solar energy and an advisor to the Iraqi government, Major Tim Smith, the Marine in charge of solar projects in Fallujah and John Offen, Resident Engineer, Army Corps of Engineers.

Nellis AFB in Nevada recently brought on line 70,000 solar panels, generating 14-15 megawatts of electricity. Base officials and SunPower Corp. finalized a commission of 15 megawatts in solar power that can save Nellis AFB $1 million annually. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Nadine Y. Barclay)

In a Bloggers’ Roundtable on October 21, Kevin Billings, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics, headquarters U.S. Air Force, and Mike Aimone, the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Installations, headquarters United States Air Force, talked to th panel about Air Force efforts to reduce energy requirements and to enable the use of alternative energy sources.

The United States Air Force is the largest energy consumer in the United States government. It spends a billion dollars a year on energy. It burns 2.5 billions gallons of jet fuel. Both men were up front in describing energy as a security issue. With most of our energy needs filled by imports, the direction from the President on down has been to conserve and replace.

The solar array pictured above will pay the Air Force $1 million a year for twenty years. It fills an immediate need for 10 megawatts of power by the civilian power company as well.

Mr. Aimone discussed the efforts being made abroad, at expeditionary bases. A simple process of super insulating tents by applying foam to the exterior has reduced air conditioning needs 60%. Many of these siting have also proven to be ideal for solar power and wind power electrical generation.

He also mentioned the Tactical Garbage to Energy Refinery which the Army has demonstrated in Iraq. Both men stressed that the Air Force wants to collaborate with the other services and share best practices.

Mike Aimone also talked about two other ways the Air Force is conserving. A new way to paint the B-1 bombers strips 5,000 pounds off the planes and the replacement coating is 3,000 pounds. A ton less weight means less fuel used.

Another change has eliminated the practice of fueling planes after they return from a mission, called a “ramp load”. Instead, aircraft are fueled pre-mission based upon the needs of that particular mission.

Mr. Billings was able to provide some data on the AF vehicle fleet post-interview.

• The Air Force has 32,096 Light Duty conventional (GP) vehicles; 6,240 E-85 flex fuel and 255 CNG flex fuel for a total of 6,495 flex fuel capable vehicles
• It has 317 LSVs [Low-speed Vehicles]: 0 electric, 316 mogas [standard auto gasoline], and 1 E85 capable
• 30% of diesel vehicles using B20 (14,678 B20 vehicles)
• 57% of flex fuel capable vehicles using E85 (3,474 E85 vehicles)
• There are zero plug-in electric vehicles due to lack of market availability; however, the USAF has 31 hybrid electric vehicles

The transcript of this interview is here [PDF file].

Info on E85
Info on B20

At first glance it doesn’t look like much: a construction site with a large wooden box strapped to a forklift, a crane, approximately 15 Iraqi Army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, and a small pile of equipment.

Such were the humble beginnings of a project that involves installing solar-powered street lights in order to deter militant and criminal activity, improve public safety and security, and ease the burdens on the growing Iraqi infrastructure.

“The 4th Infantry Division has been the driving force through this project,” said Capt. Adam Levitt, currently on a military transition team from 4th Inf. Div. as the engineer advisor for the 6th Iraqi Army Division. “(They) came in and said, ‘We want to do something to help the people and the Iraqi security Forces.’”

Levitt, along with Darryl Steadman, a civilian advisor, a translator and approximately ten IA soldiers, began to install the first four of 100 solar-powered street lights June 19.

Since the lights are solar powered, they do not place any burden on the Iraqi electrical grid.

“Right now, the infrastructure won’t support [this many new lights],” said Steadman, part of the military assistance team and Iraqi assistance group for the 6th IA Div., military transition team, 4th Inf. Div. “Although Iraq is working on the electrical grid and the infrastructure … it’s not quick enough. We need something now, and this seems to be a pretty good solution.”

The lights also have other benefits.

“We know this [project] is going to make a direct impact on the populace,” said Levitt. “It’s removing the darkness, the safe haven for the [criminals] and for criminal activity.”

Areas of little or no visibility around the road lend themselves to the emplacement of explosively formed projectiles and improvised explosive devices, said Steadman. The lights will also benefit IA soldiers who work at nearby tactical checkpoints and entry control points.

“We’re already getting feedback from some of the guy’s out at the TCPs,” said Steadman. “(They) are getting pretty excited that they’re going to have some light.”

According to Col. Ahmed Khalifa, commander of the engineer battalion, the lights will provide the only light at night for some areas.

The installation of the first lights went smoothly.

“[The Iraqi Army soldiers] want to be involved in this on a level that will show at least us, as advisors … that they can handle this on their own and that they’re ready to take on their mission with very little help or assistance from U.S. or Coalition forces,” said Steadman.

“This project has been extremely rewarding, said Levitt. “Everybody’s picking up a wrench; everybody’s carrying heavy equipment. You don’t need a translator for that.”

Steadman, who served in Iraq in 2003-2004 as a member of the U.S. military, said that although he feels Iraq still has work to do, the country has come a long way.

“I think this gives confidence to the people,” said Steadman. “People are driving up and down and seeing lights going in. What kind of message does this give to the people? We’re here to help, and we’re going forward; we’re not stagnant.”

The lights, which cost approximately $4,000 each, will eventually be placed in the Muthana, Douhra, Ghazaliya and Abu Ghuraib sections of Baghdad and in the city of Taji.

MNF-I

Local men play cards at the market in the Graya’at neighborhood of northeast Baghdad, Dec. 18. U.S. paratroopers recently installed solar lights in the market which increase security and allow business to remain open for several extra hours a day – a nice convenience for shoppers and card players.

DVIDS
By Staff Sgt. Mike Pryor
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

BAGHDAD – Up until recently, the Rabi fish market – a thoroughfare crowded with little shops and stands in northeast Baghdad – cleared out when the sun went down. But these days, things are different. Thanks to the illumination provided by rows of new, solar-powered streetlights, vendors can continue to ply their wares and shoppers can keep browsing the shops for hours after night has fallen.

(more…)

This is a fabulous idea and ought to be copied.

DoD
By Norris Jones, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Central District

With a marked decline in insurgent activity in recent months, Fallujah is on the road to a much brighter future.

And the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is overseeing a project helping shine light in that direction.

That work involves the installation of 740 new state-of-the-art solar street lights that are illuminating Fallujah’s main roadways. Currently, the city’s main east-west thoroughfare has the new lights up and functioning. Work in other parts of the city is continuing.

“Residents tell us how much that project means to their community,” said U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project engineer Troy Swofford. “City leaders and the police are thrilled. It’s getting a lot of positive attention.”

Fallujah laborers are digging the holes, anchoring the 9-meter steel poles in concrete, and bolting on the solar panels and lights. Those fixtures, manufactured by a Florida firm, contain a photo-voltaic switch that turns them on at sundown and off at sunrise. The work got under way Aug. 7 and is scheduled to be completed in October. The crew is currently installing about 20 poles per day.

“The project is bringing a ton of smiles to people in Fallujah and benefiting everyone there. It shows them things are getting better,” Swofford said. “You can see other signs of improvement as well. That main thoroughfare, where the new lights are now operating is no longer covered in dirt and garbage. The street curbs have a fresh coat of paint and in various parts of Fallujah, I see new shops opening.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fallujah resident office is overseeing 57 projects valued at $117 million. Apart from the solar lights, Swofford is overseeing the $14 million upgrade of Fallujah’s 132kV substation, construction of two new 33kV substations (that work is nearly complete), new feeder lines connecting those substations, and supplies to rebuild portions of Fallujah’s neighborhood electrical network.

Swofford, who has worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 20 years, deployed from the Charleston District. He signed up for a six-month tour but has already requested an additional year of duty.

“This is very satisfying work. You get to see the direct positive impact of our efforts. We’re helping people and the city leaders appreciate what we’re doing,” he said.

“What’s great about the solar street light project is that it will provide clear evidence of how this 21st century technology works in this climate. We’ll know its viability and other Iraqi cities may soon be following Fallujah’s lead,” he added.