Thanks to Doug for sending me this article. I think it is great that the military is transitioning towards alternative energy sources. It also makes strategic sense for our military to break the oil habit. We are a slave to the oil that comes from the middle east and elsewhere, and that certainly is one of our military’s weaknesses. To diversify our fuel sources or just switch to something that we could have more control over makes sense.
Now one idea that I read on some forum, was to grow our fuel at the various war zones we operate at. Why not ask the farmers who grow poppy in Afghanistan, to instead grow an oil producing plant, so we could power our diesel engines there? To create an industry that will provide jobs, give the farmers an alternative cash crop, and provide a source of fuel that can fuel our military and the local Afghan population(generators, businesses, taxis, etc.) Some in this discussion were even saying that you could actually convert the poppy into a fuel oil(I haven’t found out much more about this concept, but it is intriguing)
We could do the same thing in Iraq. We could introduce Jatropha(the seeds are thick with oil) in the delta areas, and create an industry for Iraqis. The Saudis have actually set up Jatropha fields that grow from sewage water. Or, if we were using mobile processers at the various camps, then we could process raw crude oil that is produced all over in Iraq. Although, I do not worry too much about Iraq and their ability to rebuild, because they are sitting on tons of oil. But still, it is an industry that we could help promote in Iraq and elsewhere that could provide alternative fuels and jobs in these various war zones.
Which brings me to my next point. The more we can make a Forward Operating Base or Remote Camp self sustaining, the better. In fact, it will save lives. The less convoy operations it takes to keep a camp running, equals less risk. We in the security industry can take the lead on this for the camps. Why haven’t we seen more solar panels at these camps or wind power devices? How about water processing plants to convert the local river/stream/lake waters? How about a mobile drilling unit, so they can tap into the ground for water? The more we can make these camps self sufficient, the better in my opinion. And when a camp is cut off do to an attack or whatever, at least they have the ability to survive on their own. It makes sense to me.
It just killed me to hear about convoys getting attacked that were trying to re-supply a camp. Is that the cost of doing business, or can we do it better and minimize risk? Sure there are costs with going towards solar and alternative energy sources, but compare that to the lives lost trying supply a camp with water and fuel and you can see my point? And plus, we are in the desert in most of our conflicts, so it totally makes sense to utilize that big energy resource in the sky.
And imagine if we had hybrid vehicles out at these camps? Most of the duties of these vehicles at security contractor based camps(CMC or TWISS), is just cruising or posting somewhere within that perimeter. We are not talking long distance traveling, we are talking short distance stuff, which is perfect for a electric based hybrid type vehicle. And imagine a vehicle that can quietly move around a site, and sneak up on the various fence lines and posts that they are in charge of? And then for the convoy operations, it switches back to fuel usage for the long haul. Hybrid vehicles would save on fuel use and costs, and would be tactically sound. But is the technology there, and could a hybrid vehicle also have armor and be protective? I think so, and I am sure the issues could be worked out.
Well anyways, just some thoughts about today’s war and our energy use. I think it is good to talk about such things and I enjoy exploring the possibilities. –Head Jundi
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Jatropha oil is vegetable oil produced from the seeds of the Jatropha curcas, a plant that can grow in wastelands. Jatropha curcas grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It can thrive on the poorest stony soil and grow in the crevices of rocks. -wikipedia
Military looks to synthetics, conservation to cut fuel bills
July 16, 2008
By John Andrew Prime
“Aim high” is the current Air Force motto for most things — except fuel costs.
That’s why the service is taking the lead in saving fuel and finding alternate ways of doing its job, reaching out and touching people, harming the nation’s enemies and helping the nation’s friends.
But with the price of jet fuel rising almost as fast as civilians’ gasoline, even in the wholesale quantities of the military, that reaching out costs more every day.
“We haven’t been told that we’re going to get a reduction in our flight hours we have submitted for next year,” said Col. West Anderson, the 2nd Bomb Wing’s vice commander. “That always could happen, but right now we have received no word that any of that is going to take place.”
The Defense Department is “probably the largest single user of petroleum products in the world,” so rising energy costs are a major concern, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates told a questioner at the Asia Security Summit in Singapore earlier this month.
“Every time the price of oil goes up by $1 per barrel, it costs us about $130 million, and frankly, my credit card limit is getting narrow on that,” Gates said.
Particularly in light of wartime operations, the impact is significant.
Not just pocket change
Defense Energy Support Center statistics show the military spent $12.6 billion on jet fuel, diesel and other fuels in 2007, with operations in Iraq and Afghanistan consuming $1.7 billion of that total.
Spiraling fuel costs in 2008 and their effect in fiscal 2009, which begins Oct. 1, have forced department officials to return to Congress for additional funding to cover the shortfall. But the department is increasingly looking to other options, Gates said, citing efforts ranging from synthetic fuels initiatives to fuel reclaiming aimed at curbing fuel demand as well as costs.
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