M. Hartle
Nabors Energy Transition Solutions,
United States
Keywords: resilience, energy, technology, supply chain
Summary:
The objective of this project is to demonstrate and validate a suite of three innovative and mature (TRL 7+) energy technologies that enhance military readiness, improve installation resilience, and strengthen defense infrastructure. The proposed solutions are particularly relevant for remote and contested environments, directly addressing the DoD’s need for secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy systems. This demonstration focuses on deploying practical, scalable solutions that improve grid independence and reduce sustainment costs by leveraging advanced power generation and energy storage. The technical approach integrates three complementary technologies to create a resilient, modular, and self-sufficient energy system: 1. Hydrogen Injection Catalyst (HIC) for Fuel Efficiency: This TRL 7 retrofit system enhances existing diesel and gas internal combustion engines. The HIC system acts as a combustion catalyst, supplementing the air-fuel mixture with an on-demand hydrogen-oxygen blend. Field operations have demonstrated up to a 15% reduction in diesel consumption and reduced NOx/hydrocarbon emissions, extending fuel range and reducing logistics burdens. 2. Prime H2: Portable Renewable Integrated Modular Energy, Hydrogen: This TRL 7 containerized power generation system produces on-demand electricity from water and solar inputs, eliminating diesel reliance. The system leverages PEM-based electrolysis to generate hydrogen, stores it safely in advanced low-pressure hydrides, and converts it to power through high-efficiency fuel cells buffered by a battery bank. This provides reliable, non-hydrocarbon power for expeditionary energy resilience. 3. U.S.-Sourced Graphene Anodes for Secure Energy Storage: This technology addresses critical supply chain vulnerabilities in energy storage, as China controls ~75% of global graphite production. We will demonstrate high-quality, U.S.sourced graphene as a superior anode material for lithium-ion batteries. Produced from domestic hydrocarbon feedstocks, this material offers faster charge rates, better thermal stability, and an extended cycle life of over 2,500 cycles, directly enhancing mission readiness and supply chain security for critical DoD applications.