Defense operations require power solutions that are not only reliable and high-performing but also safe, sustainable, and resilient in extreme conditions. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, while widely used, come with significant safety, supply chain, and performance challenges, particularly in military applications where fire risk, geopolitical sourcing concerns, and durability under harsh conditions are paramount.
Alsym Green batteries address these issues head-on by offering a non-lithium, non-toxic, and non-flammable alternative that is ideal for defense applications. With superior energy density, extended operational life, and the ability to perform across a wide range of temperatures and conditions, Alsym Green is positioned to be an ideal solution for a range of defense use cases. Its use of safe, abundant materials sourced from U.S. allies further enhances supply chain security, while its long-duration capabilities provide reliable, cost-effective energy for critical military operations.
Supply chain and geopolitical issues
The U.S. military’s energy security and operational readiness depend on a stable and secure supply chain for critical technologies, including energy storage systems. Lithium-ion batteries rely on materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which are often sourced from geopolitically unstable regions, particularly in the case of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This creates vulnerabilities in the supply chain and raises concerns about the sustainability and ethical sourcing of these materials.
Alsym Green offers a solution by using abundant, non-toxic materials that can be sourced from U.S. domestic suppliers and free trade partners. This reduces the Department of Defense’s reliance on foreign supply chains, enhancing the security and stability of battery sourcing. The ability to source materials domestically or from allied nations not only reduces geopolitical risks but also streamlines logistics, ensuring that critical defense operations are not hindered by supply shortages or delays. By addressing these supply chain vulnerabilities, Alsym Green supports the military’s need for secure, ethical, and reliable energy storage systems.
Alsym Green complies with DoD domestic sourcing requirements for critical technologies to ensure a secure, reliable supply chain that is independent of geopolitically unstable regions. For DoD equipment suppliers and government contractors, Alsym Green is an attractive option due to its compliance with these sourcing regulations, enhanced safety features, and lower operational risks. Its environmentally friendly design also aligns with government sustainability goals, making it ideal for defense-related energy storage solutions.
Health and safety
Safety is a top priority for defense applications, where personnel and equipment are often deployed in high-risk environments. Traditional lithium-ion batteries present significant fire hazards, particularly in confined or extreme conditions where overheating can lead to thermal runaway—a chain reaction that causes fires or explosions. This is a serious risk in military applications where evacuation or fire suppression can be challenging.
Many military operations, especially those in remote or contested areas, rely heavily on diesel generators, which are expensive and logistically complex to maintain due to fossil fuel supply chains. In combat zones, fuel convoys are often targeted by enemy forces. By using non-flammable Alsym Green battery systems alongside renewable energy systems, military units can reduce their dependency on fuel convoys, lowering the risks associated with transporting fuel and decreasing logistical burdens. Alsym Green’s low LCOS can also reduce the dependency on fossil fuels by providing a cost-effective alternative.
Alsym Green’s non-flammable chemistry virtually eliminates the risk of fire, even in the event of physical damage or exposure to extreme temperatures. With a wide operational temperature range, Alsym Green batteries can withstand a wide variety of environmental conditions without compromising performance or safety. This makes them ideal for use in both hot and cold climates, ensuring continuous and safe operation without the need for complex cooling or heating systems. Furthermore, their ability to withstand damage and abuse enhances their durability in demanding military scenarios, reducing the risk of catastrophic failures during critical missions.
Alsym Green battery systems not only enhance safety by eliminating fire risks but also improve health conditions for military personnel by reducing the reliance on noisy, emission-heavy diesel generators. By providing clean, silent power, Alsym Green helps lower exposure to harmful diesel exhaust and reduces noise pollution in confined spaces such as forward operating bases, vehicles, and naval vessels, creating a safer and healthier working environment for defense operations.
High performance and flexibility
Military operations require energy storage systems that are capable of delivering reliable, long-duration power across a wide range of applications. Whether powering bases, command centers, or remote operations, energy storage systems must offer both flexibility and high performance. Alsym Green batteries provide 2x to 10x the energy density of other non-lithium alternatives, such as zinc-bromine or vanadium flow technologies. This allows a 20’ BESS container incorporating Alsym Green to store up to 1.7 MWh of energy, providing military installations with a robust and efficient energy solution.
The batteries’ wide discharge range (2 to 110 hours) and fast recharge time (as little as 4 hours) make them ideal for both short-term and long-duration applications, ensuring that defense units have consistent, reliable power when needed. Alsym Green also delivers round-trip efficiency comparable to lithium-ion batteries, without the associated risks. Additionally, its industry-leading levelized cost of storage (LCOS) makes it a cost-effective solution for defense applications, helping the military manage energy costs while maintaining operational readiness.
Alsym Green’s wide operating tolerances and temperature range provide critical flexibility for the DoD by ensuring reliable performance in diverse and extreme environments, from desert bases to arctic outposts. Alsym Green can operate effectively in military installations around the world, reducing the need for complex cooling or heating systems, which are crucial for forward-deployed units and harsh climate scenarios.
With a high round-trip efficiency (RTE) of 92%, Alsym Green maximizes energy use, making it ideal for applications such as microgrids, where efficient energy storage and discharge are essential to maintaining operational readiness. Its low self-discharge rate ensures that stored energy remains available for extended periods, critical for operations in remote or off-grid locations where energy replenishment may be intermittent or delayed.
Additionally, Alsym Green’s ability to be stored at zero state of charge allows military units to stockpile batteries for long-term missions or disaster recovery scenarios. For example, in forward operating bases or disaster relief missions, these batteries can be activated on demand without requiring constant recharging, providing the DoD with strategic energy reserves for unpredictable situations or extended deployments.
Use cases
Alsym Green’s unique combination of safety, supply chain resilience, and high performance makes it suitable for a wide range of military applications:
- Base Support: Alsym Green is a highly flexible energy storage solution that enhances the resilience and efficiency of military bases by supporting microgrid operations across various types of installations. For permanent military bases, Alsym Green can store renewable energy from solar or wind sources, providing reliable backup power during grid outages and reducing dependence on diesel generators. At forward operating bases (FOBs), where grid access may be limited or unreliable, Alsym Green integrates seamlessly with renewable energy and diesel hybrid systems to provide long-duration, uninterrupted power. Its ability to operate in extreme environments ensures continuous support for critical systems such as communications, command centers, and logistics. For expeditionary bases, Alsym Green’s non-flammable, easily deployable design offers a safe and lightweight solution for temporary or mobile installations. Its ability to be stored at zero state of charge makes it ideal for missions requiring rapid deployment and energy independence, enabling troops to rely on clean, quiet power without the logistical burden of fuel transport.
- Disaster Response: In disaster relief and humanitarian missions, military units often need to provide power to areas without reliable electricity. Alsym Green batteries, integrated with renewable energy sources like solar or wind, can supply clean, efficient electricity for medical units, command centers, and communication systems, reducing the logistical burden of transporting fuel for generators. This is especially crucial in disaster zones where fuel supply chains may be disrupted, and grid power is unavailable. Alsym Green batteries can even be stored at zero state of charge (SoC) for extended periods for fast deployment to response areas.
- Silent Watch Operations: During “silent watch” operations, military units must power surveillance equipment and communications without generating detectable noise or heat signatures. Alsym Green’s non-flammable, silent power source allows critical systems to operate without drawing attention, replacing noisy diesel generators that can give away a unit’s position. This is especially important for units conducting covert operations or monitoring high-risk areas where stealth is crucial.
- Cybersecurity: Alsym Green batteries can enhance cybersecurity by providing a decentralized, independent power source for critical military installations. By decoupling from vulnerable grid networks, Alsym Green systems ensure that vital operations, such as command centers and communication hubs, remain operational even in the event of a cyberattack on national energy infrastructure. This capability is critical in an era where energy systems are increasingly targeted by adversaries.
- Remote Surveillance and Sensor Networks: Many defense operations deploy remote sensor networks and surveillance systems in hard-to-reach or contested areas. Alsym Green batteries, with their long-duration power capabilities and minimal maintenance needs, are ideal for powering these networks without the need for frequent battery changes or fuel resupply. When paired with renewable energy sources, these systems can operate autonomously for extended periods, providing critical intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
- Hibernation Mode for Long-Term Forward Positioning: Alsym Green batteries can be stored at zero state of charge (SoC) for extended periods without significant degradation. This is particularly valuable for defense units that need to maintain a stockpile of energy storage systems ready for rapid deployment in unpredictable situations. The ability to store batteries without the need for constant recharging or replacement reduces logistical complexity and ensures that energy storage systems are always ready when needed.
- Sustainability and Green Energy Integration: Alsym Green batteries enable military installations to integrate renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. By efficiently storing renewable energy, they provide reliable, clean power for bases and operations, supporting the Department of Defense’s sustainability goals. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers fuel costs, and helps meet government-mandated environmental standards, all while maintaining mission readiness and operational autonomy.