A major cultural shift is required if attitudes towards sustainable energy, greater fuel efficiency and greater water efficiency are to change. In the military context, the realisation of these paradigms is crucial because energy efficiency and water efficiency are operational efficiency.
The resonant images of fuel convoys under attack during recent operations in Afghanistan are what spring to mind when considering operational energy. The experience the Afghan theatre of operations demonstrated definitively that operational fuel costs are too high- not just financially- but also in human terms. As a result, the need for long logistics chains including extensive convoys must be reduced as soon as possible.
Building on the experiences of recent operations now is the time to bring together those working in these areas to discuss common challenges and explore available solutions and lessons learned. The
Military Engineering 2015 conference will therefore bring together the military and expert community to consider the challenges of operational energy, water and infrastructure and contingency basing and force sustainment.
Key topics to be addressed:
- Sustainable Energy Challenges and Solutions including power supply, storage and renewables
- Liquid Logistics: Engineering Water Solutions
- Expeditionary and installation infrastructure
- Smart solutions for the military including smart grids and HUMS
- Sustainable FOBS and Operational Military Compounds
However, this is not just a challenge that emerged from recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. As capability has increased over the past decade, so have energy requirements. These requirements have severely increased the weight that each soldier or marine has to carry on operations and have also put pressure on the energy infrastructure required for every-day activities in an expeditionary camp. Similarly, the next decade’s capability improvements will only further increase energy demands.
The energy burden will always be complicated by the operating environment and the burden is only set to increase in the near future. In anticipation of this ever-growing demand, it is believed that it will take a truly heroic effort to meet and maintain targets for energy reduction. It is clear that energy supply and demand remains an inhibitor to operational effectiveness but the drain on resources can be significantly reduced with solutions already available.
These solutions exist in the form of alternative fuels, storage, usage and better management and these technologies are already having an impact on the extension of the range and endurance of units on patrol; thus allowing commanders greater freedom of action and patrols longer time away from their bases. Back at base, the current infrastructure options aren’t as effective as they could be. They are extremely wasteful of both energy and water. However, better management systems can transform the ability to run sustainable camps in any context.
To meet the demands of future operating conditions new and improved options for contingency basing must be: modular, scalable, deployable, energy efficient and importantly interoperable. Standardisation and greater efficiency must be built into the systems to ensure that the foundation of any military activity, its basic infrastructure, facilitates the operators’ mission. Developing new options or simply updating the existing system for contingency basing is the perfect opportunity to prioritise the reduction of energy and water use.
Military Engineering supports a wide variety of missions, both civilian and military. The challenge of engineering expeditionary operations is not limited to the support of combat activities. More and more frequently military engineering is called upon to support responses to humanitarian crisis and natural disasters, as well as leading the way in rebuilding civilian infrastructure in post-war contexts. These operations are ever more demanding of the military engineers expertise as they balance providing the infrastructure for themselves and their own forces while also working to develop the infrastructure of the host nation often in far from ideal conditions.
Beyond the key topics above, the conference will also offer detailed insight from practitioners operating on the front-line of civil-military engagement- whether that is on peacekeeping, humanitarian or disaster response missions.
Military Engineering 2015 is a unique opportunity to learn from other military forces and share experiences and best practice techniques in a collaborative environment.
So, why should you attend?
- Learn best practice from international case studies on the construction, management and sustainment of expeditionary camps to maximise capability and minimise cost
- Assess how new technologies for energy, water and infrastructure management can be utilised for future service and operations
- Gain an understanding of the challenges your peers face in transforming energy and water efficiency in order to meet demanding national and international standards
- Explore the challenges and solutions available for sustaining infrastructure at reduced cost in permanent and operational contexts
- Network with peers in an informal environment to exchange information and become informed about the latest technological developments and implementation efforts
The objective of
Military Engineering 2015 is to provide subject matter experts with the opportunity to discuss the challenges of today's operational environments, and to exchange lessons learned, solutions and future developments with those that are working at the cutting-edge of research and industry.
Register at ASDEvents and receive
20% discount.
Venue
The venue is not yet available for this event.
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Venue & Accommodation
London Marriott Hotel Kensington147C Cromwell Road, London,
SW5 0TH, United Kingdom
Website:
http://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/lonlm-london-marriott-hotel-kensington/Phone: 0207 973 1000
AccommodationTravel and accommodation are not included in the conference fee; however we have put together a HotelMap that displays discounted accommodation for hotels in the area near to Military Engineering 2015. The map displays live availability and allows you to book directly with each hotel:
https://www.HotelMap.com/pro/MLVUNPlease note: We will never recommend, approve or appoint any third party rooming service to act on our behalf. Please be extremely wary if you are approached by any such companies. We will always endeavour to negotiate the best available rates for you so please use the HotelMap link provided; this shows live availability and rates for all hotels in the area and allows you to book directly with the hotel of your choice within your budget.
Register at ASDEvents and receive
20% discount.