Susanne Michaelis, Brussels

Being more effective by using less energy Smart Energy – improving the energy efficiency of NATO’s armed forces

by Dr Susanne Michaelis, NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges Division, Brussels

In the late 18 th

century, when General George Washington

offered his fellow General Nathanael Greene the post of chief logistician in his army, Greene initially refused. He considered logistics to be too insignificant a subject to make him famous: “Whoever heard of a quartermaster in history?” Greene’s reluctance to take the lead in logistics still resonates with us today. The more missions are characterised by long distances, rapid deployments and remote locations, the more difficult it becomes to supply forces in a particular fuel.

Logistics at high risk Since the American Revolution, horses have been replaced by vehicles, aircraft and ships, all using fuel instead of hay. The logistical challenge, however, with supply routes being attacked and budgets being cut, remains the same. Indeed, since World War II, the average fuel consumption per soldier has increased more than tenfold due to all the additional equipment that is necessary to fight an unconventional enemy in difficult territory. Add to this the rising price of fuel and it becomes clear why governments are actively seeking to reduce energy consumption: According to some estimates, 3-4 million litres of fuel are used every day in Afghanistan, and by the time one litre of fuel reaches the operational theatre the “fully burdened cost” is between US$ 2 and US$ 12, or more, depending on the distance, protection requirements and means of delivery (e.g. by land or air). But it is not just the cost factor that is worrying. The more fuel we need to transport, the more we increase the risk for our soldiers. According to the US Department of Defense, from 2003 to 2007 in Iraq and Afghanistan, a total of more than 3 000 Army personnel and contractors were wounded or killed in action from attacks on fuel and water resupply convoys. Hence, in both financial and security terms, having to transport large quantities of energy is a “lose-lose” situation. Can these unfavourable trends be reversed? Are there ways to reduce the military’s dependence on fossil fuel, shrink our logistics footprint and enhance the security of our troops? And can one perhaps even save money in the process?

New energy efficiency concepts The answer to all of these questions is a resounding “yes”. Energy efficient technologies and cultural change that have been successfully introduced for civilian purposes could easily be adapted to serve the military. Renewable energy sources, rechargeable batteries and energy efficient LEDs, to name but a few, “just” have to become more robust, endurable and simpler to use. Some NATO member states have already tested new energy efficiency concepts and these demonstrate that through advanced materials and equipment, such as better insulation, the use of solar power and energy storage systems, as well as behavioural change, the fuel consumption in a camp of 200 to

500 personnel can be reduced by 30%. A low-energy compound is a real force multiplier, as it frees precious resources for other important tasks. Another example is an integrated power system that a soldier can wear as a vest. Today, a soldier carries many kilograms of sophisticated electrical devices. The batteries that power GPS, night vision goggles and communication equipment are heavy and of a short lifespan before they need to be replaced. Again, a combination of advanced technologies, including rechargeable “power-forall” batteries and wireless transmission of power using new textiles, can provide our soldiers with equipment that is smaller, lighter and with a longer lasting energy supply. The fighting power of a soldier is increased, as he can operate for longer, in a more agile and safer way.

NATO takes it seriously Through NATO, these efforts can be pulled together and made interoperable. To this end, NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges Division (ESCD) set up a “Smart Energy Team” (SENT), a group of experts from six Allies (Canada, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, the UK and the US) and two partner countries (Australia and Sweden) who will identify national energy efficiency projects that are most promising for being pursued multinationally. The findings will be used to recommend and initiate Smart Defence projects on “smart energy” leading towards cost-saving multi-national capabilities. ESCD’s role in this process is to: 1. provide a platform for information exchange among SENT members, NATO stakeholders and nations; 2.raise awareness and initiate a mind-set change; and 3.encourage multinational cooperation.

Experience from exercises During the military exercise “Capable Logistician 2013” (CL13) that took place in June in Slovakia, SENT presented one of its tangible milestones: a “Smart Energy component’ demonstrating possible solutions for reducing fuel consumption. Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom provided the manpower and equipment that included a hydrogen fuel cell, solar panels, LEDs, an intelligent energy storage and management system, and an insulated tent. Besides raising the visibility of energy issues among the over 1 700 military leaders and soldiers who participated, this exercise enabled SENT to formulate recommendations for updating and drafting NATO standardisation documents. This will help to bring “smart energy” into NATO’s Defence Planning Process – because this is where it ultimately belongs.

Looking back in order to forge ahead NATO has over half a century of experience in standardisation and a specific policy for that purpose – more than any other institution. It already has policies and agreed standards for environmental protection, electrical power supplies and fuel.

Dr. Susanne Michaelis is Chairperson of NATO’s ‘Smart Energy Team’ (SENT) comprised of experts in military energy efficiency. She is a molecular biologist by education and joined the European Commission in 1995. In 1996, she moved to NATO as Associate Programme Director, ‘Science for Peace’. During her career, Dr. Michaelis developed new initiatives under NATO’s Scientific Affairs, Public Diplomacy and Emerging Security Challenges Divisions. In her current position, she is facilitating a multinational approach aimed to enhance ‘Smart Energy’ by combining research & development, awareness raising and policy making. Dr. Michaelis is also science advisor for environmental security and represents NATO as Management Board Member in the Environment and Security Initiative. Photo: private

Now is the time for SENT and NATO stakeholders to work together on defining standards for reducing energy consumption and the logistical footprint. Standards for training and education, equipment and materials as well as guidelines and best practices will provide NATO’s armed forces with a basis for changing the way they plan their missions, procure equipment and conduct operations. In a letter dated 19 December 1781 financier Robert Morris lauded General Greene for managing to keep his army supplied to such an extent that it remained in the field with very little outside assistance. Today, as budgetary scarcity and operations in remote locations have become the norm, such management skills are again in great demand. With “smart energy”, NATO aims to support the General Greenes of the modern world in moving the armed forces towards energy efficiency and a smaller logistical footprint.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to the organisation he or she is affiliated with, nor to the organisations mentioned in the article.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell: A prototype of a portable hydrogen fuel cell producing 2 kW electricity developed by the Fraunhofer Institute Chemical Technology (ICT), Pfinztal, in cooperation with FutureE Fuel Cell Solutions GmbH, Germany. Photo: by NATO/SMic