Army to Tap Renewables to Supply Power to Jawans Deployed at High Altitudes

The idea is to shift from a conventional source of energy, which is expensive and unreliable due to its transportation and maintenance, to renewable energy.

To enhance the living conditions of its personnel, the Indian army is looking for a durable supply of power in high altitudes where they are deployed. The idea is to shift from a conventional source of energy, which is expensive and unreliable due to its transportation and maintenance, to renewable energy.

The project has been placed under the Technology Development Fund scheme and the Army is discussing the project with the industry and subject experts.

The scheme envisages funding the industry that can develop technologies or prototypes for potential use with the help of scientists. The first option is a fuel cell, which would convert chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a reaction of the hydrogen-containing fuel with oxygen or another oxidizing agent. To start with, the power to be generated would be pegged at around 5 KW.

Solar power projects are few in number and are unable to meet the peak power demand for 21 military stations in winter. “There is a requirement to integrate all renewable energy sources to create a microgrid, to balance the requirement of military stations. The hybrid sources which need to be integrated are solar, wind, geothermal and micro hydel power stations,” the study report said.

“These sources of energy are not susceptible to mechanical breakdown. There are also no transportation issues. Some of these technologies are more durable to withstand vagaries of nature. As they are quiet, they will also not give away your location to the adversary,” an officer said. Jawans deployed at altitudes as high as 22,000 feet in the northern and eastern sectors have to deal with sub-zero conditions almost throughout the year.

Source: ET