Posted on Feb 8, 2022
Army plans microgrids, electric vehicle fleet in first climate strategy
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The Army plans to install a microgrid on all of its installations by 2035 and have a fleet of all-electric vehicles by 2050, among other efforts outlined in a climate strategy released Tuesday.
The strategy, the first such plan for the service, is meant to guide the Army in how it responds to climate threats that affect soldier readiness, warfighting and installations. It also directs how the U.S. military’s largest branch can reduce its own climate impacts through less fossil fuel use, among other efforts.
“The time to address climate change is now. The effects of climate change have taken a toll on supply chains, damaged our infrastructure, and increased risks to Army Soldiers and families due to natural disasters and extreme weather,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said in a statement released alongside the report.
The strategy, the first such plan for the service, is meant to guide the Army in how it responds to climate threats that affect soldier readiness, warfighting and installations. It also directs how the U.S. military’s largest branch can reduce its own climate impacts through less fossil fuel use, among other efforts.
“The time to address climate change is now. The effects of climate change have taken a toll on supply chains, damaged our infrastructure, and increased risks to Army Soldiers and families due to natural disasters and extreme weather,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said in a statement released alongside the report.
Army plans microgrids, electric vehicle fleet in first climate strategy
Posted from thehill.com
Energy
Oil and Energy
Climate Change
Strategy
Vehicle
Posted 2 y ago
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What could go wrong? The equipment will be made by the lowest bidder and be maintained by the lowest ranking service personnel!!!
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SPC Lyle Montgomery
What's going to happen when these vheicles run out of juice on the battlefield and there is no charging station around? Electric vheicles for the military is a totaly stupid idea.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
CPT (Join to see) - We've already saw what happens when Carbon Fuel Energy/Electric systems Freeze Up in Texas. Wasn't a Pretty Sight.
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CPT (Join to see)
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel - Agreed. And a non-political/theatrical overview of what occurred @ link supplied by the folks @ *Practical Engineering.*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mwXICY4JM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08mwXICY4JM
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SFC (Join to see)
The lesson learned: we can’t count on fossil fuels to turn on in sufficient quantity when too much wind and solar power is in our grid system. To much wing and sun power is not resilient when we need to depend on our grid.
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CPT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - Agreed. Eventually *alt* fuels/new tech will become viable; however, it’s still a long way out. First job out of college worked for an electric utility and learned first hand what works, what doesn’t and if someone blows all their money on a $200 a pair Nikes, lottery tickets, etc., and can’t pay their bill, the utility can’t turn them off until a boatload of hardship (sic) appeals occurs or the arrival of a government handout, I mean subsidy, I mean... On second thought —> Nevermind. And as for DoD peddling that a green fleet = the road to victory there’s a bridge in Brooklyn they might want to buy.
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If we're going to look at electric vehicle fleets (I'm not saying 100% that's the way to go, cause the tech might be there, but power distribution/storage systems are definitely lacking). It's something that does need to be researched IMO. To truly power maneuvering forces with electric, the Army needs reliable energy. And the Army should reinstate their nuclear reactor personnel like the Navy has for their ships. The Army did have it's own nuclear teams, that was until the 1980s when the Army nuclear school was shut down, these personnel were trained to maintain/run the nuclear reactors. The Army should partner with the Navy to train Jointly with the Navy Nuke School IMO, some follow on Army courses could be added later or just on-the-job training - OJT.
In my opinion, we need to seriously check out portable or moveable thorium reactor systems (that could fit on the back of a semi-truck). These thorium molten salt reactors (MSRs) are already in a "molten state" and cannot melt down. Plus, they produce very little nuclear waste, as most of the bad stuff it consumed in the actual reaction. These reactors could easily power vehicles that could travel 500-1000 miles or more (from the newest battery technology). That's the only way I see to bring electric vehicles to the battlefield. They'll probably be relegated & best used far from the actual front lines, in the corps & division support areas. That way the bulk of fuel can go to the front to power tanks & other armored vehicles. Definitely something that should be researched.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a37001881/us-army-electric-vehicles/
In my opinion, we need to seriously check out portable or moveable thorium reactor systems (that could fit on the back of a semi-truck). These thorium molten salt reactors (MSRs) are already in a "molten state" and cannot melt down. Plus, they produce very little nuclear waste, as most of the bad stuff it consumed in the actual reaction. These reactors could easily power vehicles that could travel 500-1000 miles or more (from the newest battery technology). That's the only way I see to bring electric vehicles to the battlefield. They'll probably be relegated & best used far from the actual front lines, in the corps & division support areas. That way the bulk of fuel can go to the front to power tanks & other armored vehicles. Definitely something that should be researched.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a37001881/us-army-electric-vehicles/
The Army Is Flirting Hard With Electric Vehicles, But Isn't Quite Ready to Commit
For now, it's just a crush.
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SFC (Join to see)
I remember one time at NTC when my 113 had battery problems. It wasn’t pretty. We lived through a dangerous situation and had to be recovered. If the batteries were any larger, I don’t know if I would be here.
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) - Yes, Lithium Ion & other battery technologies are an issue. But there are private companies & University Researchers that are researching new batteries that are safer & last much longer.
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