Army-green gets greener: USARPAC Soldiers test clean energy sources during RIMPAC

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Richardson | During the setup of a humanitarian aid and disaster relief event for Rim of the Pacific training exercise, wind-turbines were used as a source of clean energy at Ford Island, July 7-11. The Soldiers and Sailors also used solar panels, a solar shade, and a hydrogen powered car to provide energy to the camp. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, about 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in Exercise RIMPAC from June 26 to Aug. 1 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2014 is the 24th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson, USARPAC PAO)  

FORD ISLAND, HI, UNITED STATES

07.08.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Kyle Richardson 

U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs Office

FORD ISLAND, Hawaii - For years, the word green has been associated with the U.S. Army. However, within the last few years with the implementation of renewable energy initiatives, the Army has shared its “green” characteristics while taking on the challenges of “going green.”

For 2014 Rim of the Pacific training exercise, U.S. Army Pacific and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers trained with a little clean-green-energy and displayed several renewable energy sources during the world’s largest maritime international exercise.

Soldiers set up a variety of clean-energy power-producing equipment such as wind-turbines, solar panels, a solar shade, and even used a hydrogen-powered car to generate enough power for 350 people located at a training area on Ford Island, July 7-11.

Sgt. Roderick Macleod, a prime power mechanic with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, stated that the clean energy sources could run 24 hours continuously for several days creating enough energy for moderate daily-activity.

“Clean energy is very effective,” said Macleod, a native of Marietta, Georgia. “The power output is less than the traditional sense of powering a site, but it is a lot more sustainable and there are no emissions. What’s coming out of it is 120 volts and our devices don’t know the difference. At this point it just becomes a matter of cost effectiveness, and it’s becoming more affordable every year.”

Soldiers and engineers demonstrated how renewable energy sources could assist service members during military operations. The group of service members set up alternate energy sources for a humanitarian aid and disaster relief training event.

“This equipment is expeditionary, you can deploy with it quickly. You don’t have to worry about bringing large generator sets and the logistics that comes with it—specifically speaking, the fuel required to operate it. This equipment can be flown out or jumped in with airborne or ground units, set up quickly and be self-sufficient,” said Drew Downing, a Detroit native and USARPAC science adviser.

Sgt. Jeremy Nissly, Reading, Pa., power station manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said that clean energy is the future of the Army.

“Solar- and wind-powered energy sources are very valuable. There are times when you can’t get resupplied or you have to conduct operations without running a loud generator. As the Army changes to cleaner energy sources, we’ll be ready to make that transition,” said Nissly.

As the Army slowly moves toward a green energy environment, Downing said that USARPAC Soldiers will continue to train on different clean energy sources reducing the effects to the environment but also maximizing the success of the USARPAC Soldiers.

• Date Taken: 07.08.2014
• Date Posted: 07.10.2014 20:08
• Story ID: 135790
• Location: FORD ISLAND, HI, US
• Hometown: DETROIT, MI, US
• Hometown: MARIETTA, GA, US
• Hometown: READING, PA, US