Power Forward Operating Base (PowerFOB) was aimed at identifying fuel efficient technologies and sustainable electrical power alternatives to fossil fuels with the objective of making FOBs as ‘fuel-sufficient’ as possible whilst maintaining operational capability, therefore reducing the logistic burden imposed on the supply chain through the transportation of fuel. This well attended event was presented by Paul Johnson who was programme manager for this challenging and interesting technology demonstration programme, which took place at BAWA, Bristol on 12th March 2013.

1. Alternative Methods of
Powering the Armed Forces
12 March 2013
SWWE APM Branch
Mr Paul Johnson

2. Sustainable Development – Trading Space
Sustainable Procurement
Maintain global carrying capacity
Conserve and recycle resources
Environmental Reduce waste
MoD
Sustainable
Operations
Social Economic
Satisfy reasonable needs Sustainable economic growth
Increase self-reliance Move to low carbon economy
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

3. Sustainable Lifecycle
Concept Assessment Demonstration Manufacture In-Service Disposal
Specify Assess environmental, Maximise sustainability Minimise
sustainability economic & social impacts during manufacture and environmental
requirements while ensuring operational in-service phases impact at disposal,
requirements are met including re-use
and re-cycling
Embedding Sustainability in the Acquisition Process
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

4. The Operational Problem
• Electrical power on operations is a critical capability but
has a large logistic and operating burden
• The UK approach to generation and distribution has
historically been:
– Local and in-situ generation
– A mixture of equipment solutions
– Bespoke construction
– Totally dependant upon multiple diesel generators
• The result is complex, inflexible and inefficient
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

5. Developing PowerFOB
• Reduced Dependency on Fossil Fuels Capability Vision
– Alternative technologies
– Solar, wind, energy storage
• Forward Operating Base Exercise
– Enhance FOB capability
– Military utility assessed
• Generic Base Architecture
– Open System approach
– Reconfigure current assets
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

6. Key Risks & Constraints
• Shipping (international) • FOB location (environment)
• SME availability • £1.4m BC
• Technical – Canada DND
• Admin – Dstl PO
– Travel
– Finances
– Accom & Mess
– VIP
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12 Mar 2013

7. PowerFOB Schedule
Jan 11 April 11 July 11 Oct 11 Jan 12
FOBEX VIP 9 Feb 11
Definition
Stakeholder Day 4 Apr 11
Planning
Ship Equipment
Cyprus Trial
VIP Day 25 Jul 11
Ship to UK
Analyse Results
Scope Op Trial
Recce
Contract 31 Jan 12
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12 Mar 2013

8. The Recce
• British Forces Cyprus, April 2011
• Accom & Feed in Mess to reduce costs
• Choice of 2 FOBS
• FOB Spartan due to size, location and ease of
access
• Supported by Industry
• Scoped out technical options and priorities
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

9. PowerFOB Objectives
• Aim: To identify fuel efficient technologies and sustainable
electrical power alternatives to fossil fuels
• Objective: Making FOBs as ‘fuel efficient’ as possible
whilst maintaining operational capability
– Task 1: Fuel Efficient Base. Intelligent power
management, renewables and storage
– Task 2: Low Power Accm. Insulation, shades,
renewable input.
– Task 3: Micro Power. Reducing battery burden,
increasing endurance, fuel cells.
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

10. Logistics
• 22 different companies; limited experience
of working with the MoD
– Over 150 different people over 3 weeks
– Accommodated and fed in mess
• International Collaboration
– Canadian DND
– US Marines
• OGD Collaboration
– British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
– Home Office
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12 Mar 2013

11. The Reality
• Cyprus ‘Blows Up’ on 11 July
– Evangelos Florakis Naval Base
– 98 containers of explosives self detonated
– 4th largest accidental explosion in history
• Impact
– Islands largest power station severely
damaged
– Island without power
– Rolling black-outs
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12 Mar 2013

12. Impact on PowerFOB
• Equipment and Companies already deployed
– Cyprus Mess has back-up generator for when
blackout hits area
– In situ generators support kitchen and reefers
• Offered diesel generators and SME resource to support
island
– SME resource taken
– Generators not large enough – remain at FOB
• Minimal impact to trial and personnel
– Reduced SME support
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12 Mar 2013

13. Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

14. PowerFOB Task 1
• Requirement to reduce the logistic burden
• Attempt a 50% reduction in fuel consumption
• In-service equipment operated inefficiently and is
old technology – no generation or demand
management
• Increasing demand for energy on the battlefield
• Increasing cost of energy
• Risk to assured fuel supply in the future
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

15. PowerFOB Task 1 Realities
• Use current generator (FEPS)
• Baseline FOB Catina (real data)
• Daily demand profile remains constant
• Cyprus in July = Afghanistan in May
• Some electrical loads simulated, some real
• All equipment is 20’ ISO transportable
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12 Mar 2013

16. Power Generation and Management
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12 Mar 2013

17. Task 1 Results
Power Management Concepts Used
Generator
Fuel
Running
Generator Energy Demand Renewables Saving
Management Storage Management Integration Hours Saved
X X 22% 50%
X X 5-15% 5-10%
X X X 37% 70%
X X X X 40-45% 75%
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12 Mar 2013

18. Task 2 Results
• Enhanced insulation is up to 25% more efficient than
standard
• Internal temperatures cooler during the day
• Indicative savings at Camp Bastion between 2 & 4m
litres of fuel per year
Air-Conditioning Power Demand Average Internal Shelter Temperatures
Power Demand (kW)
(for Target Temperature of 22 deg C)
10
Temprature (deg C)
40
8
6 35
4 30
2
25
0
04:00:00
06:00:00
08:00:00
12:00:00
14:00:00
16:00:00
22:00:00
00:00:00
02:00:00
10:00:00
18:00:00
20:00:00
20
08:00
12:00
16:00
20:00
00:00
02:00
04:00
06:00
10:00
14:00
18:00
22:00
Time of Day Time of Day
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12 Mar 2013

19. Task 3 Results
• Solar Mats 60w – 250w
– Charged all man portable batteries (130w/3hrs)
– Maintained radio vehicle battery charge
– High ‘Watts to Weight’ ratio
• Fuel Cells 75w – 250w
– Charged all man portable batteries (13w/7hrs)
– Fuel cell worked well in military vehicles (extended
comms with engine not running)
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

20. PowerFOB Conclusions
• Fuel savings of 40 – 50% are possible
• Simple improvements to existing equipment can bring
real results
• Solar mats are effective for smaller demands (further
forward)
• Fuel cells need comparing to batteries for specialist
tasks (remote sensors, vehicle mount)
• Enhancing shelter insulation can reduce power by up to
25% (£1m saving per anum at Camp Bastion)
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

21. Recommendations
• Operational Concept Demonstrator (OCD) to prove
results
• Incorporate cost-effective renewable technology
• Support Generic Base Architecture to improve future
integration
• Exploit results to inform future requirements and
investment
• Better understand static power demand
• Liaise with other Nations on fuel cell use
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

22. PowerFOB OCD
• Aim:
– Quantify identified benefits
• Scope:
– Use 2 x FOBS in Kenya
– Couple existing generators with demand
management, storage and renewable energy sources
(Solar PV)
• Output:
– Quantifiable evidence of actual fuel savings achieved
(during a sustained period of User activity)
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

23. Key Risks & Constraints
• Shipping (international) • User availability
• Location (safety) – Training dates
• Suitability for data – Olympics
gathering
• £1.6m BC
– Dstl PO
– Cap ELS
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

24. Schedule – PowerFOB (Kenya)
Jan 12 April 12 July 12 Oct 12 Jan 13 April 13
Contract Award 26 Jan 12
Recce
Planning
UK Integration Test
Ship Equipment
Kenya Trial Start 18 June 12
Kenya Trial
Kenya Trial End 21 Sept 12
Ship Home
Cost Benefit Analysis
CBA Reports 31 Mar 13
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12 Mar 2013

25. Preparation
• Security Awareness in Fragile
Environments (SAFE) Training
– Mixture of classroom and role-playing
– First Aid
– Foreign Travel
– Situational Awareness
• Jabs/Tablets
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

26. Stage 2 Recce
MOB Simba
FOB Twika
Nairobi to Nanyuki 200km
Nanyuki to Archers Post 120km
Archers Post to Range CP 10km
Range CP to MOB SIMBA powering mins
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12 Mar 2013

27. Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

28. 5 Months later…
• security (at all times!)
• Accommodation
– Nanyuki Lodge
– Simba Lodge
 Insects (bad!)
 Wildlife (good?...)
 ‘Hunter-gatherer’ territory
• Satellite phones required for safety
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

29. MOB Simba
• 500 Man Austere Tented
Camp
• Accommodation, Ops
Room (incl. Air-con),
Medical (incl. Air-con), and
Workshop Facilities
• Exercising troops in-situ
• Peak load of 90kW
MOB Simba sits in a semi-arid plain – 40ºC +
ambient temperature
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

30. Joint Force Engineering Exercise (JFEE)
• 100 to 200 Man Austere
Tented Camp
• Accommodation and
Engineer Stores
• Peak load of 25kW
• 40kW Generator
• Example of a good-use
system
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

31. REME Workshop Site - Opportunity
• Workshop with lights,
laptops, small tools,
welder
• Load between 0.25kW
and 5kW
• 24kW Generator is
over-sized for demand
(limited generator
variants available)
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

32. Kenya Results
Generator
Site & Duration Running Hours Fuel Saving
Saved
MOB Simba (500 Man)
33% ± 4% 9% ± 2%
2 Weeks
JFEE Site (200 Man)
45% ± 5% 35% ± 5%
10 weeks
REME Workshop
89% ± 2% 82% ± 4%
6 Weeks
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12 Mar 2013

33. Key Messages
• Reduce demand through Demand Management or low
power initiatives
• Use existing generation more efficiently
• Scalable, modular, intelligent storage offers significant
potential.
• Exploit alternative sources
• Defined and standardised architecture is key in
maximising FOB fuel efficiency
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

34. MOB Simba - Typical Day Power Profile
250
200
PowerFOB CBA
Power (kW)
150
100
50
0
04:00:00
12:00:00
16:00:00
00:00:00
08:00:00
20:00:00
Time of Day
Demand Met By Solar Demand met from Generator
Demand met from Energy Storage Generator Power into Storage
• In parallel with the activities in Kenya, a PowerFOB Cost
Benefit Analysis (CBA) has been developed, with the
following objective:
– To undertake the cost-benefit assessment of the
OCD trial concepts, referenced against baseline
configurations of in-service generation and
distribution equipment.
• Reports 20 Mar 13 – Waterlooville
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12 Mar 2013

35. Potential Next Steps
• Potential exploitation routes for PowerFOB
outputs:
– Further trials (LOSA)
– Camp Bastion
– Training Estates
– Field Power 2020
– Fort Devon (US experimentation base)
– Op Nanook (Canadian DND)
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

36. Reflective Schedule
Jan 11 July 11 Jan 12 July 12 Jan 13 July 13
Definition
Planning
Contract Award 15 May
Cyprus Trial
Analysis
Op Dem Scoping
Contract Award 21 Jan 12
Planning
Kenya Trial
LOSA Experiment
Cost Benefit Analysis
CBA Reports 20 Mar 13
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12 Mar 2013

37. Programme Success?
• Budget - £3M; expenditure £2.8M (inc 3rd trial site)
• Early Return On Investment estimates:
– 2 years for FEPS
– 4 years commercial generators
• Timing (too late to support current ops?)
• Help to meet sustainability objectives through-life
– Identified alternative energy sources with military utility
• Matured the GBA DEF STAN
• Informed LOSA Experimentation
– Vehicle, base, soldier
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12 Mar 2013

38. Personal Reflection
• 1 year earlier! • Very rewarding
• Hard, physically and mentally – Sense of achievement
– Travel (flying and internal) – Strong MoD/BAE team
– Long hours/days/weeks….. – Collaborative approach
– Heat • Good experience
• ‘Crash’ when back in office – Something new
– Motivate self & team – Lots of stakeholders
• Good results!
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013

39. Contact: paul.johnson133@mod.uk
Alternative methods of powering the Armed Forces…..
12 Mar 2013