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Renewable Energy - Waiting for the Troops to Arrive Military scientists and military-funded researchers were responsible for the development of the internet, nuclear power and personal computing, notes a Breakthrough Generation commentator. Now, he says, it is time for renewable energy to "get the Army treatment". The article looks back to the 1960s, when military agencies bought virtually every microchip manufacturers could produce. These purchases enabled big advances in military technology, facilitating projects like Minuteman and Apollo and cementing America’s position as a military power. And a funny thing happened along the way. Massive military demand drove producers to make chips faster and cheaper, driving the cost of a microchip from $1000 to $20 in the span of a few years. Suddenly microchips were an affordable component, available for use in the broader marketplace; everyone - not just the armed forces - benefited from the military’s investment. The commentator notes the problem of energy supplies for soldiers on the field - for example, heavy batteries to run equipment and constant demand for gasoline - and says: Deploying solar panels and small turbines for bases, lightweight and efficient batteries and portable solar equipment for patrols, and hybrid engines for vehicles could make operations a lot cheaper and safer - and cleaner. Unfortunately, the top brass have been slow to respond to this strategic need. This last statement is not completely correct. I have already written that military initiatives lie behind some important research into fuel cells. As I noted: A key attraction is portability. At present, soldiers on maneuver often have to bring heavy and bulky power generation systems with them, sometimes in trailers or special vehicles. New fuel cells under development could make it possible for individual soldiers to carry their own fuel supply systems. It may become possible for a single fuel cell to provide power to both vehicles and equipment. Here are three companies carrying out fuel cell research that has military applications: Medis Technologies has developed the Medis 24-7 Power Pack, a portable power system for handheld electronic devices. It hopes to develop a 20-watt refuelable fuel cell for the US military, in partnership with General Dynamics. Neah Power Systems has developed fuel cells which it says reduce by 70 per cent the weight load that a solider must carry for portable power generation. July 31st, 2008
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