Colombian National Army is conducting in the implementation of sustainable technologies with the innovative Alternative Energy Power System (SIALT), a project carried out jointly by the School of Military Communications through its Research Center and the Communications Maintenance Battalion. This system seeks to optimize the use of batteries in military operations, integrating alternative energies such as solar and wind to improve the charge of radios and other operations in remote areas of the country.
Currently, military units rely heavily on single-use batteries, which generates high costs and a considerable volume of waste. The SIALT aims to change that reality with the use of rechargeable batteries, revolutionizing logistics and improving the efficiency of the institution's military operations. Each military base will have a kit that includes solar panels and wind turbines, leading units on the ground to charge radios and other operations.
A milestone is the drastic reduction in the use of disposable batteries. Each rechargeable battery replaces approximately 700 disposable batteries throughout its useful life, which translates into a saving of 80 million pesos per each one. In addition, the production of electronic waste is expected to decrease from 140,000 to 14,000 batteries annually, reducing by more than 170 tons of waste per year.
SIALT in the same way has a direct impact on the mobility of soldiers in the area. Rechargeable batteries, which weigh about 900 grams, are significantly lighter than disposable ones, which weigh 1,600 grams. This difference in weight leads the soldiers to carry less cargo, improving their maneuverability on the ground.
The Communications Maintenance Battalion has already started the production of rechargeable batteries, with an initial batch of 500 units for the Harris platform and 300 for the Elbit Systems platform. By next year, the mass production of chargers is expected, accelerating the transition to clean energy. Colombian National Army modernizes its military operation capacity and assumes an active role in environmental protection, showing that sustainability and defense can go hand in hand.
Source: Press – National Army
