Renewable Energy Systems for Forward Operating Bases: A Simulations- Based Optimization Approach

摘要

The purpose of this paper is to quantify the impact of installing renewable energy sources on the fuel consumption, supply-line casualty rate, and operating cost of an Air Force forward operating base (FOB) through the use of computer simulations. This paper also discusses the potential of a leave- behind strategy (i.e. leaving renewable energy systems behind after US departure). Although FOBs are vital to the mission of today's expeditionary Air Force, current costs in terms of supply-line casualties and dollars are very high for sustaining these bases. Several tools are developed in this paper to aid in site-specific planning for installing renewable energy systems at FOBs. These tools are then applied to a hypothetical deployment in Afghanistan to develop a proposed system concept. According to the simulations used, the proposed system can reduce fuel consumption by 17%, supply-line casualties by 15%, and yearly operating costs by $5.5 million. Finally, a test-bed and training site at Cannon AFB, NM is proposed and presented along with relevant statistics that would help validate the simulations used in this paper.