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In Collaboration with Saab

Sustainable Energy Concept Presented to Defense

Sustainable energy concept pitch hero

Saab and WhisperPower Present Innovative Technology

On January 30, the Procurement Directorate of the Command for Materiel and IT (COMMIT) organized a market consultation during the annual meeting of the NIDV Platform for Sustainability, Environment and Security (NPDMV). COMMIT represents the Dutch Ministry of Defense in procurement matters, and NPDMV is a Dutch platform focused on sustainability issues within defense and security. This event provided a stage for innovative and sustainable ideas that can contribute to more efficient and environmentally friendly operations within Defense. In collaboration with Saab, WhisperPower presented an advanced hybrid energy system, developed to enhance operational effectiveness, reduce the ecological footprint and lower costs. This system has already proven itself in practice and offers a sustainable alternative to traditional energy supply in military applications.

Pitch sustainable energy concept to defense

The Challenge: Inefficient Energy Use in Military Operations

During military operations and exercises, a reliable power supply is crucial. In the current situation, this is often achieved with diesel generators that run 24 hours a day to provide continuous power, regardless of actual demand. This leads to a range of disadvantages: high fuel consumption, frequent need for maintenance and inefficient energy use as generators often operate at low load. This not only results in unnecessary emissions of harmful substances but also in higher operational costs and logistical challenges, such as the constant need for fuel supply in the field. Additionally, continuously running generators cause noise pollution, vibrations and heat emissions, negatively affecting both personnel comfort and operational security.

Old situation
Old situation

Benefits and Results in Practice

Aspect
Old Situation vs. New Situation
Generator Operating Hours
24 hours per day → 3 to 4 hours per day
Fuel Consumption
± 3 liters per hour (504 liters per week) → saving of approx. 60 liters per day (420 liters per week)
CO₂ Emissions
high emissions due to continuous use → emission reduction of 83%
Maintenance Costs
maintenance every 200 hours (every 8 days) → 80% less maintenance due to fewer operating hours
Operational Comfort
continuous noise, vibrations and heat emissions → silence, no vibrations and reduced heat emissions
Detectability
higher risk due to heat and sound detection → reduced detectability due to absence of heat and noise
Redundancy
no backup in case of generator failure → redundant system with batteries as backup
Logistical Dependency
frequent refueling required during operations → no refueling needed during operations
Environmental Impact
higher risk of fuel spills and CO₂ emissions → fewer transport movements, no risk of fuel spills
Generator Lifespan
faster wear due to incomplete combustion at low load → extended lifespan due to optimal load
Modern sustainable power generator on a trailer

Proven Effectiveness and Invitation to Collaborate

The hybrid energy system has already proven itself in practice with 30 operational systems showing excellent results. Thanks to smart energy distribution, there has been a significant reduction in fuel consumption, emissions and maintenance costs. The generator runs only when necessary, under optimal conditions, while the batteries provide a continuous, silent and reliable power supply. This not only increases operational efficiency but also reduces logistical demands and environmental impact. The system is immediately deployable for similar applications within Defense, without additional development time. Saab and WhisperPower invite Defense to engage in further dialogue to explore how this proven technology can be applied more broadly, tailored to specific operational needs. Together, we can work towards more sustainable, efficient and secure energy use in military operations.

Power supply system components in container

Sources: LinkedIn post NDIV, LinkedIn post COMMIT