Saving energy in front line military bases
The MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) division has collaborated with industry and the Armed Forces to find ways of saving energy in front line bases. The result is the Power Forward Operating Base (PowerFOB), a revolutionary new approach to saving power in front line bases.
This article was originally published in the September issue of desider, Defence Equipment and Support’s corporate magazine.
More than 30 companies and representatives from the MOD and the Armed Forces took part in the Power Forward Operating Base (PowerFOB) concept demonstration – showing off a revolutionary new powersaving approach at the MOD’s Episkopi training area in Cyprus.
Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Programmes and Technology Group (PTG), in collaboration with the Canadian Department of National Defence, contracted a consortium led by BAE Systems Energy Solutions and Services to undertake PowerFOB on the Mediterranean island.
The Defence Science and Technology Research Programme has investigated the impact of reducing the operational dependency on fossil fuels through a series of scenarios in which fossil fuels become either unavailable or are in limited supply to UK Forces.
These scenarios examined ways in which technology could be used to maintain capability in the face of ever-increasing fuel costs and supply limitations. PowerFOB, a key project within the wider FOBEX programme, exploited this research in the form of a capability concept demonstrator in conjunction with British Forces Cyprus.
PowerFOB results (against baseline fuel usage derived from Forward Operating Base Catina)
- Energy storage produced a 22 per cent fuel saving;
- Energy storage plus demand management produced a 37 per cent fuel saving;
- Energy storage plus demand management plus renewables gave 40–50 per cent fuel saving depending on mix of renewables that were used.
The demonstration included using commercially available energy management systems and modular storage systems as well as a range of alternative energy solutions provided by the consortium, some of whom have received funding through the MOD Centre for Defence Enterprise.
The PowerFOB demonstration successfully validated a recent analysis which identified that a significant reduction in FOB energy consumption could be achieved by using a system that intelligently manages energy demand while incorporating energy storage and using a mix of conventional and alternative energy.
Wind and solar power systems provided one of the centrepieces of the demonstration. All systems were plugged into the PowerFOB grid and tested for energy efficiency, power output and compatability alongside other solutions. Pictures by Pete Gowing.
PowerFOB was an opportunity for industry, the MOD and the end users of equipment to discuss the potential to create an open power architecture framework that will de-risk the Generic Base Architecture (GBA) project. GBA seeks to create common system standards for FOB s and develop thinking of them as a whole platform.
Paul Johnson, FOBE X Programme Manager for PTG, highlighted the importance of the GBA project:
“We can reduce our demand for fuel through intelligent power management coupled with modular storage, with renewables providing a back-up generation source for critical mission systems. However, the definition and standardisation of a generic FOB power architecture is a key enabler for maximising FOB fuel efficiency.”
Following the successful completion of PowerFOB , a panel chaired by Rob Eason, Head of PTG Technology Delivery and Head of Capability – Expeditionary Logistics and Support, Brigadier Jon Brittain, endorsed a recommendation to undertake an operational concept demonstrator at Camp Bastion. This would aim to confirm the findings of PowerFOB and inform opportunities for exploitation in support of Operation Herrick.
Mr Eason said:
“PowerFOB has demonstrated the immediate impact that intelligent power management, energy storage and the use of alternative energy solutions can offer to support current operations. The exploitation of these technologies will deliver real benefits to the end user while enabling a sustainable future.”
You may also be interested in...
- Energy Roadmap 2050 for a secure, competitive and low-carbon energy sector
- Energy publications round-up: UK consumption, household facts, bio-energy, fuel poverty, renewables
- Case studies of community energy: What lessons get shared?
We haven't yet received any comments on this page.
Do you have a comment on this page?
All comments are moderated: we will not publish irrelevant or inappropriate comments. Please note that we require your email to validate your message and will not publish it or use it for any other purpose.
-
News and independent comment on sustainable development
Sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter 
Latest news and features- Resources round-up: climate factsheets, green procurement, policy database, wellbeing evidence, standards 15 May, 2012
- News round-up: Natural Capital Committee, NEA’s international impact, investment in green infrastructure… 8 May, 2012
- New calendar and archive of events and publications 8 May, 2012
- Habitats and Wild Birds Directives review findings 8 May, 2012
- Humankind Index for Scotland measures prosperity beyond GDP 7 May, 2012