The Army's Operational Energy Challenge

Energy will become increasingly important, considering its impact on economic growth, political stability and the conduct of military operations, because the majority of oil production will occur in potentially unstable regions. In recent years, several factors have emerged that further complicate t...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Vane, Michael A, Roege, Paul E
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
ALTERNATIVE ENERGY
ARMY EQUIPMENT
ARMY OPERATIONS
ARMY RESEARCH
Electric Power Production and Distribution
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
ENERGY STRATEGIES
LOGISTICS
Logistics, Military Facilities and Supplies
MILITARY REQUIREMENTS
OPERATIONAL ENERGY
OPERATIONAL READINESS
POLICIES
POWER ENGINEERING
POWER SOURCES
POWER SUPPLIES
Reciprocating and Rotating Engines
REPRINTS
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Summary:Energy will become increasingly important, considering its impact on economic growth, political stability and the conduct of military operations, because the majority of oil production will occur in potentially unstable regions. In recent years, several factors have emerged that further complicate the engineering and logistics challenges associated with power and energy, including asymmetric threats to logistics and infrastructure, increasing competition for the world's oil supplies and concern about global climate change. Operational energy is the energy and associated systems, information, and processes required to train, move, and sustain forces and systems for military operations. It is an important enabler for operations as described in The Army Capstone Concept and The Army Operating Concept, which emphasize the need for synchronized maneuver and sustainment. While the current force relies almost entirely upon petroleum-based fuel to supply its needs, the future force will need alternatives in order to support flexible, resilient operations. Demands are composed of consumption and the use of power and energy in any form. The Army recently drafted an initial capabilities document (ICD) that outlines energy-related capability requirements. Common goals that pervade the analysis include: improve operational energy management; improve awareness of energy issues that affect operations; increase power-source density and commonality; decrease the size and weight of systems; increase power generation and distribution efficiency and capacity; decrease energy demand; and foster energy innovation. In Army, May 2011, p36-43.