The military constantly innovates to strengthen our armed forces and protect American citizens. In 2022 alone, the United States Department of Defense spent nearly $116 billion of its $777.7 billion annual budget for that fiscal year on research and development. While some of this research will likely only benefit our armed forces, plenty of the military’s innovative developments, like the internet and GPS, have benefited civilians and the broader economy.
And, as demonstrated by a recent U.S. Army development that could replace traditional diesel generators, military innovation can also benefit energy consumers and the planet.
The Army has developed a new hydrogen-powered nano grid. A nano grid is a small, self-contained, and self-sufficient power grid that can be scaled and easily deployed. Nanogrids are commonly deployed in disaster areas or places without reliable infrastructure (such as some areas where the military may deploy).
Nanogrids have traditionally run on power sources like diesel. Companies have worked to make these systems more environmentally friendly, such as the fully renewable nanogrid developed by Sesame Solar. The Army’s environmental innovation has taken a different path by working with hydrogen. Specifically, the “system combines a fuel cell, electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, battery energy storage, solar panels, and an atmospheric water generator to create a fully self-sufficient power source.” These components produce power where it is most needed while producing potable water as a hydrogen byproduct.
Hydrogen is becoming a popular power source because it produces no air pollution. While hydrogen can be produced via energy sources like natural gas or coal, there is a growing demand for ‘green’ hydrogen, which is produced using renewable energy sources, and pink hydrogen, which is hydrogen produced through electrolysis powered by nuclear power.
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The hydrogen-powered nanogrid is an updated version of Sesame Solar’s technology and was developed as a joint project between the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and various partners. It was unveiled and tested for a year at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. It is the first operational hydrogen-powered nano grid used by the Army.
“The hydrogen-powered nanogrid offers a carbon-free alternative that is both sustainable and effective for applications in extreme weather environments and sensitive cultural areas such as WSMR,” commented Carol J. Bailey, a project manager from ERDC’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory.
This nanogrid is undoubtedly an exciting development, but it is far from the first time military research and development has resulted in environmentally friendly innovation. DOD has invested in everything from solar drones and lighter batteries to micro nuclear reactors to power military bases. While the DOD should not be subject to clean energy mandates, investment in energy efficiency and alternative power sources could enhance military resilience and preparedness.
Like GPS and the Internet, military research, development, and deployment in emerging energy technologies could spur commercial breakthroughs that lower energy costs, improve grid security, and reduce emissions. Any DOD spending should first meet national security objectives. Policymakers should create pathways for the private sector to commercialize that research and broadly deploy these new technologies. This can be done while protecting classified information and national security interests.
Military investments in emerging energy technologies can benefit American soldiers, energy consumers, and the planet. Hydrogen-powered generators are one of many opportunities to enhance military operations and accelerate energy innovation.
