Maryland, US The mobile trailer-mounted wind turbine and combined energy storage unit is to be used as a demonstration unit by the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) — the Army’s largest technology developer and its primary source for research, development and engineering services — at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
The unit includes a patented WindTamer turbine that provides energy to an onboard storage system. It has inputs for solar energy and shore power AC as well as multiple 28 V DC and 120 V AC outputs. Full monitoring capabilities cover all energy components — wind, solar and energy storage — as well as wind speed and temperature.
Mark Matthews, vice president of Sales and Marketing for WindTamer, said: “The mobile WindTamer turbine and wind/ solar energy storage unit is being tested for use as an alternative to diesel generators in various military applications. We view military use of our trailer-mounted systemas a significant market for WindTamer going forward.”
The US Military has been seen as a potentially powerful driver for the development of renewable energy. NATO fuel convoys are frequently targeted by insurgents in Afghanistan and transporting fuel can cost the military anywhere from $20 to $1,000 per gallon, the US Defense Department said. One in 24 fuel convoys also results in the death of a civilian or soldier.
To cut these heavy financial and human toll, Navy secretayr Ray Mabus told the New York Times that he wants 50% of the power for the Navy and Marines to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. That figure includes energy for bases as well as fuel for cars and ships.
