US Navy running on Biofuels

Posted on 09/04/13 No Comments

Navy Biofuels – It’s estimated that it costs $400/gallon to deliver fuel on the battlefield.  Not only is the military prone to supply shortages from foreign production, it’s faced with extraordinary costs for a vital substance.  These facts should not only pull on strings of the Generals, but the government accountants as well.

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There’s few that have championed the need for energy independence like Navy secretary Ray Mabus.  He continues to be a further the use of biofuels, systematically testing them in the Navy’s machinery while developing the infrastructure for affordable production.  Mabus says that the main source of independent or domestically sourced fuel is biofuels.  He also states:

…the requirement for a global presence using innovative, low-cost, light-footprint engagements, while continuing to protect the global commons, means decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels must be at the top of our agenda.

Mabus insists the government bolster support/funding for domestic biofuel initiatives and infrastructure.   The Obama Administration has responded by Obama committing $510 million to a biofuel production initiative, teaming the Navy with the Departments of Energy and Agriculture, along with private sector partners. This support of the military through private industry is nothing new, as the US goverment has invested in the steel and oil industry to support wars and the military throughout history. With a little help from Uncle Sam, it’s expected the new biofuel refineries will produce competitive costing fuel by 2016.   Mabus also addresses the naysayers in congress with the argument that change and forward thinking is necessary, otherwise we would still be powered only by wind and sails. This shift to biofuels and renewables is expected to bring an array of job opportunities, especially for veterans.

 

navy energy logoThe Navy even has its own department for Energy Security.   US Navy Department of  Energy, Environment and Climate Change is committed to improving energy security and environmental stewardship by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.   Checkout their website here.

 

In 2012, this program championed a Green Fleet of 5 ships, which demoed variety sustainable technologies.   Here’s the details:

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Biofuel

Approximately 450,000 gallons of 100% “neat” biofuel were purchased in 2011 in preparation for the Great Green Fleet demonstration.

  • Navy surface ships were powered using 350,000 gallons of hydroprocessed renewable diesel (HRD-76) blended with an equal amount of marine diesel (F-76).
  • Navy aircraft burned 100,000 gallons of hydroprocessed renewable jet fuel (HRJ-5) blended with aviation fuel (JP-5).

Energy Efficient Technologies

The Great Green Fleet demonstration also included the following maritime efficiency measures:

  • Solid State Lighting – Use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to save energy, especially when replacing incandescent fixtures or in colored lighting applications.  LEDs also last longer than an incandescent or fluorescent fixture, reducing maintenance.
  • Gas Turbine On-Line Water Wash – Allows compressors to be washed while the engine is running (normally, engines are shut down during this activity).  This reduces maintenance, improves starter life, and reduces fuel consumption by keeping the compressor section of the gas turbine cleaner.
  • Shipboard Energy Dashboard – Provides real-time situational awareness of energy demand associated with equipment.  This allows the crew to minimize a ship’s energy consumption and increase its efficiency while meeting system performance and reliability requirements.
  • Smart Voyage Planning Decision Aid – Sends messages to ships with optimized routing plans for both ship safety and fuel savings.
  • Stern Flaps – Modifies the flow field under the hull to reduce drag, turbulence, and thus, reduce overall hull resistance.

…and hey, “if it’s good enough for the Navy jets, biofuel is surely fine for my truck.”

biofuel jet engine

 

by Jason Jelonek

 

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