Smart energy-efficients camps' development missions – key orientations for the development of solutions

The R&D study for the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia (Si MoD) on ways of developing smart and energy-efficient deployable camps (SmartEEC) for both defence and civilian purposes (dual-use) was successfully completed in 2021.

The key components of the study, and its proposed support measures, are represented by its key orientations – the development missions. These include proposals for thematic areas to steer the development of new and advanced technology solutions, processes and services over the next 10 years.

More detailed guidelines for ongoing development will be continuously provided with the help of our members and other strategic partners from Slovenia and abroad.

The conclusions of an R&D study successfully conducted in 2021 with the title “The R&D feasibility study on ways of developing smart deployable infrastructure capacities (Smart Energy Efficient Camps SmartEEC)”– SmartEEC – along with the outstanding results of the Slovenian Energy and Environment Partnership in Defence’s (SiEnE’s) international activities – have made smart energy-efficient and self-sufficient deployable camps one of the strategic areas for international activity of the SiEnE partnership under the auspices of Si MoD and TECES.

Dual-use solutions and digital green transition

One of the main findings of the R&D study is that solutions should be designed in a manner that is usable for both defence and civilian purposes (dual-use). This is very important for Slovenia, which has no companies and research organisations that research and develop solutions exclusively for the needs of the Si MoD and Slovenian Armed Forces. In achieving the set objectives, dual-use is of utmost importance. Moreover, we need encouragement and incentives for companies and development organisations to steer the development of products for civilian purposes in ways that allow for (at least to some extent), defence purposes too.

On an example level, this means that very similar solutions (with slight modifications) could be used for smart and energy-efficient neighbourhoods as well as smart and energy-efficient camps. Solutions for smart and sustainable buildings could be used for a smart modular structure within a military housing camp.

Figure: Interweaving solutions for civil and defence purposes.

Furthermore, using the described methods would make it easier to be aligned with other EU member states when it comes to the monitoring of two key priorities: green and digital transition in the area of civilian solutions.

The development mission’s role is to support the development of solutions for the next 10 years

In this respect, the largest development potential over the next 10 years will be mission areas where new and advanced technological solutions, processes and services can be developed. Missions are understood as development orientations on thematic areas that represent orientation for further products development.

Development missions are neither substantively nor thematically completed. This is also not their intention. With the missions, we want to open and strategically support the steering of further activities and development measures in accordance with the capacities and interests of both Slovenian and international partners, under the auspices of SiEnE, Si MoD and TECES.

We will supplement and develop more detailed development guidelines together with our members and other interested domestic and international partners.

Thus, we would like to involve as many competent experts from companies and research organisations as possible with solutions in the thematic areas covered by the missions presented below.

In this context, we perceive the missions listed below as areas where it is possible to develop new and advanced technological solutions, processes and services for both specific defence and purely general (civilian) needs. Each mission includes the development of individual components, devices or interconnected solutions and systems.

Development missions as key development orientations for the next 10 years

• Smart planning and campsite management
  Development and demonstration of the most advanced and interoperable digital simulation tools for comprehensive support of smart planning and management (smart camps or buildings) – with the aim of achieving the most complete and rapid transition possible from design to the management phase, diagnostics, model-based fault detection and predictive maintenance.

• Green generation, conversion and storage of energy
  Development and demonstration of the most advanced, scalable, site-specific, zero/ultra-low emissions, climate-neutral and interoperable energy generation, conversion and storage systems. The aim is to optimise the use of renewable resources, maximising source-to-consumer efficiency and ensuring compliance with environmental, climate and energy commitments and guidelines.
• Electric microgrids
  Development of components and solutions, and demonstration of a flexible, decentralised, modular and resilient micro-grid based on modular and IT-connectable alternating or unidirectional micro-grid building blocks (self-diagnostics, energy management systems (EMS), autonomous decision logic – IA, off-grid operability, and the ability to automatically connect to larger off-grid micro-grids, etc.).
• Heating, cooling, air-conditioning and ventilation
  Development and demonstration of new concepts, technologies and systems for the production, distribution, supply, use and storage of heating and cooling energy at different temperatures, in supplying the needs of an entire campsite, individual facilities or other processes.
• Waste and water management
  Developing new, and adapting existing, water and waste management technologies and models to minimise logistics operations and maximise circularity (new technologies and models supporting the entire water and waste management chain).
• Nearly-zero-energy sustainable and modular deployable smart buildings
  Developing components and solutions for modular units that will achieve a ‘nearly-zero’ standard in energy use (low operating energy demands while providing energy locally). These will be sustainable and designed for easy assembly and disassembly, with processes supported by design in a BIM environment.
• Buildings’ interior environment (ambient)
  Developing components and solutions for the internal environment in terms of satisfaction and mood, health protection, social cohesion, and so on (temperature, humidity, hygiene, and lighting conditions).
• Master mission: Smart energy-efficient camps
  Developing mission-specific solutions and establishing a sustainable experimental and demonstration environment. This will be a key element in integrating cooperation between domestic and international partners. Its final location in Slovenia (as well as abroad) will allow for continuous demonstration and testing of all mission technologies at the integration and systems level, and where diverse technological solutions can be brought together.
  Master mission represents a key mission in the achievement of development goals, comprehensively addressing the major challenge of a paradigm shift in the development of smart deployable infrastructure capacities in Slovenia.

Furthermore, there are two development missions in the conceptual phase, namely “ICT and cybersecurity” and “Logistics”.

Further details on each of the missions, their intended thematic areas of development and the possibility of taking part in them, will be presented in future releases.

What’s happening in the forthcoming weeks?

• we will present in more detail the individual missions, along with their thematic areas and specific development potentials. These will form the basis for international cooperation project proposals;
• we will invite companies and research organisations to join the missions as holders or partners in specific thematic areas;
• we will invite experts from companies and research organisations to become involved in further activities within the individual missions, perhaps even as experts in the process of international cooperation.

Organised in such a way, we will be able to maximise our development potential in preparing R&D and demonstration pilot project proposals in response to domestic and international calls, thus securing development funding, international networking, promotion of our growing reputation, and improved competitiveness for our members.

Additional information

For more information about the study,  participation in the SiEnE activities and involvement in international activities, projects, or supply chains, please contact us.

Goran POTOČNIK ČERNE – TECES .:.  +386 2 333 13 53 .:.  SiEnE@teces.si