Optimized Off-Grid Energy Systems Using Climate-Based Energy Demand for Soft-Walled Facilities

Remote contingency military operations often require the use of temporary facilities powered by inefficient diesel generators that are expensive to operate and maintain. Site planners can reduce operating costs by augmenting generators with hybrid energy systems, but they must select the optimal design configuration based on the region’s climate to meet the power demand at the lowest cost. To assist planners, this paper proposes two innovative, climate-optimized, hybrid energy system selection models. The first model is capable of selecting the facility insulation type, solar array size, and battery backup system to minimize the annual operating cost. The Hybrid Energy Renewable Delivery System (HERDS) model builds on this model by minimizing the entire system’s net present cost, and accounts for the transportation costs of airlifting the system to an operational site. To demonstrate the first model’s capability in various climates, model performance was evaluated for applications in southwest Asia and the Caribbean. An additional case study was performed on Clark Air Base, Philippines to highlight the HERDS model’s capabilities. The capability of both models is expected to support planners of remote sites in their ongoing effort to minimize fuel requirements, lower annual operating costs and increase site resiliency

Air Force Institute of Technology Research Report 2020

This Research Report presents the FY20 research statistics and contributions of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management (EN) at AFIT. AFIT research interests and faculty expertise cover a broad spectrum of technical areas related to USAF needs, as reflected by the range of topics addressed in the faculty and student publications listed in this report. In most cases, the research work reported herein is directly sponsored by one or more USAF or DOD agencies. AFIT welcomes the opportunity to conduct research on additional topics of interest to the USAF, DOD, and other federal organizations when adequate manpower and financial resources are available and/or provided by a sponsor. In addition, AFIT provides research collaboration and technology transfer benefits to the public through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). Interested individuals may discuss ideas for new research collaborations, potential CRADAs, or research proposals with individual faculty using the contact information in this document