Using Geographic Information Systems to Evaluate Energy Initiatives in Austere Environments
Abstract
Organizations that operate in austere environments at the end of long logistics chains face significant energy challenges which often represent financial and security vulnerabilities. Reducing fuel consumption in these operations causes a proportional fuel reduction throughout the supply system as the need for transportation of fuel is reduced. Accordingly, the total fuel reduction across the supply system should be considered to capture the fully burdened cost savings when conducting economic analysis of energy reduction initiatives. This research examined the energy savings potential of improving the thermal properties of expeditionary shelters, and then evaluated these measures using a fully burdened cost savings technique. Geographic Information Systems, Radiant Time Series cooling load analysis, and fully burdened concepts were applied to develop a model that analyzes the economic effectiveness of various shelter improvements in any climate and location in the world. Specifically, solar flies developed through Solar Integrated Power Shelter System (SIPSS) program for installation on fabric shelters were examined. The model was validated against test data provided by the SIPSS program, and then it was applied to two case studies. Results indicated that the energy savings in transportation associated with point-of-use energy reduction initiatives can represent a substantial portion of the overall fuels savings, which validates the idea that cost savings should be evaluated on a fully-burdened basis. Additionally, the SIPSS solar flies were overwhelming economically justified in most regions studied, but a lack of effectiveness in certain regions validated the need for the developed methodology.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584110
Entities
People
- D. J. Murley
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology