Cleaner, Quieter, Sustainable Energy for Deployed Operations

Inspired by requirements emerging as the Argentine armed forces respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Army has received the prototype of a solar energy system to be used on deployed operations.

EXO provided a prototype unit for the Army to deploy and evaluate in the course of Operation General Manuel Belgrano. The system gathers and stores solar energy in a mobile module, mounted on a trailer carrying solar panels that gather energy during daylight and which has sufficient capacity in its battery bank to power, for example, a command post at night. The unit has a dual use: supplying power for military and operational facilities; and powering voice and data communication systems for high-level combat units, command posts and medical units in emergency situations.

Characterised by robust design, the system can be brought into service in a deployed location in less than 15 mins by only three individuals. Additional photovoltaic modules can be added at need to boost capacity.

This project was born soon after the need became apparent to provide deployed operational units with an alternative power source – preferably using a cleaner, quitter and more sustainable energy source, such as solar power.

Santiago Rivas and Florencia Lucero Heguy in Buenos Aires for MON