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Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

Posted February 15, 2011 7:00 AM

Deployment of solar light trailers, solar communications equipment rechargers, and other systems has reduced conventional fuel use by the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Such technology use can translate into a reduced number of resupply convoys to forward operating bases. Yet a RAND Corporation study concludes there will be no direct benefit to the armed forces if the military increases its use of alternative fuels. This assessment considers alternative jet and naval fuels derived from coal, waste oils, and algae. Should the military pursue all forms of alternative energy?

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Doorman
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#1

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/15/2011 10:35 AM

McDonnel Douglas F/A-18, a $50M USD airplane, cruising along at 50,000 feet... with fuel tanks full of used french-fry oil.

What could go wrong?

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#3
In reply to #1

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/15/2011 6:16 PM

The Germans did this 70 years ago. Although airplanes were much cheaper then, it didn't hurt as much when things went wrong.

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#5
In reply to #1

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/15/2011 10:57 PM

WVO[waste vegetable oil] is likely to be a solid at 50,000 ft

a good rule of thumb is cold weather crops have better cloud points than warm weather crops.

the US armed forces are working to phase out gasoline where possible. Simplifying the logistics can save lives in dangerous theaters of operation...
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#2

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/15/2011 6:03 PM

It makes perfect strategic sense to me, that the military would be leaders in using alternative fuels and putting alternative energy tech to the test.

The military has to have a survivalist attitude, to be able to accomplish their tasks in any place and under any conditions.

That being said, used french fry oil is probably a scarce resource in the 'survival' scenarios I'm ~vaguely~ thinking of.

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#4
In reply to #2

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/15/2011 10:48 PM

"That being said, used french fry oil is probably a scarce resource in the 'survival' scenarios I'm ~vaguely~ thinking of."

I suspect high-flying jet aircraft might be a scarce resource under certain "survival" scenarios, as well...
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#6

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/16/2011 8:21 AM

Using solar for portable power usually has very poor economics. If it is a study from Rand we are considering, you can pretty much assure yourself that the article is attempting to contrast these power measures with the economic viability of military mission, which is of course nonsense, since the military mission in question has no economic return requirement. There are countless ways to use alternative energy effectively in the military. Some of these early responses suggesting waste vegetable oil in aircraft are typical of the knee jerk reaction to the industrial complex reaction to the possibility that they might lose a customer. There are many very good ways to build ester based fuels from vegetable bases that work very well in aircraft, but none of them involve french fry oil. They generally use virgin oils, highly refined, similar in complexity and quality measures used to process petroleum to make jet fuel. Is there any direct benefit? What does direct imply?

It seems to be that almost anyone could recognize that the military machine becomes more robust and effective if it can reduce reliance on outside energy vendors.

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#7

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/16/2011 9:52 PM

"Ahhhh, the smell of victory........french fries!" LOL

Sorry, I couldn't help myself...to just a few of them....

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#8

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/24/2011 5:50 PM

The mission of the military is to destroy things, they are not there to change societies problems or provide a customer for someone's new idea. If a product performs and is superior to an existing product, fine. But if the sole purpose is because it is "green" stay away from it.

The military has enough problems dealing with politicians and their agendas, they don't need engineers adding to their problems.

However, if I'm not mistaken USN still uses whale oil on submarines maybe this can be addressed.
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#9
In reply to #8

Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

02/24/2011 6:00 PM

The mission of the military is not to destroy things. They are there to change societies for the better. They are great places to refine new ideas. Whale oil is not used on submarines.

I will agree that they have enough problems, and that there agenda is political. What else could it be?

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#10
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Re: Soldiering on with Alternative Energy

03/01/2011 3:55 PM

Sir:

I disagree. The job of the Coast Guard and Peace Corps is to change societies for the better.

The Motto of the USMC is when it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnite.

Can you describe the process of an F117 making a society better? How does a biofueled M1 Abrams create anything other than havoc for the bad guy?

As for the whale oil, it has been used, don't know if it has been replaced with a synthetic yet, but as of 1999 it was in use. Know why?????????????
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