T-REX visits Seymour Johnson

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. – An Ameresco employee sets up a Transportable Renewable Energy eXchange so he can showcase the system’s capabilities to members of the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Power Pro Shop. The T-REX is essentially a trailer equipped with a solar power array, wind generator and liquid propane powered electric generator capable of delivering 5.5KW of power. (U.S. Air Force photo/Matthew Latham) (RELEASED)

T-REX visits Seymour

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Joseph Price demonstrates the functions of the Transportable Renewable Energy eXchange to members of the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Power Pro Shop. The T-REX is a mobile renewable energy trailer capable of delivering 5.5KW of power. Mr. Price works for Ameresco, which sells the T-REX system. (U.S. Air Force photo/Matthew Latham) (RELEASED)

T-REX visits Seymour Johnson

Published Feb. 17, 2011
By Matthew Latham
4th Civil Engineer Squadron

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C -- The T-REX, not the dinosaur but the Transportable Renewable Energy eXchange, is a mobile renewable energy trailer capable of delivering 5.5KW of power. This unique approach to hybrid technology shows great promise in delivering energy downrange to help complete mission requirements.

For a brief demonstration of T-REX, the base Energy Office invited Ameresco to demonstrate their T-REX unit for the Power Pro shop on base. The visit provided a great deal of knowledge to our Airmen in both mobile energy as well as renewable and hybrid technologies.

The T-REX is essentially a trailer equipped with a solar power array, wind generator and liquid propane powered electric generator. The unique qualities that this new technology presents is an ability of one person to deploy the 2.24KW solar power array and 400 watt wind generator without the use of tools in less than 30 minutes. Creators of the T-REX were so focused on forward mobility they built the unit to be transported via helicopter. Additionally, multiple units can be tied together for a central location of varying power requirements and deployed for further down range missions.

The weather conditions for downrange missions can be harsh. Subsequently, Ameresco understood any mobile energy trailer must be built to withstand these harsh conditions and still provide the needed renewable and fuel energy. An ability to endure high wind ratings and durable panels that can withstand hail storms of up to one foot are clear indicators that the trailer was built with Airmen in mind. The mission requires readily available, dependable and where possible clean energy to help ensure continued excellence down range.

Like all generators, the T-REX can use a fuel source if renewable energy is not readily available to ensure dependability. However, with gas or liquid propane options for the generator combined with hybrid technologies; the T-REX reduces the amount of fuel that will need to be transported in the area of responsibility to maintain energy. The Energy Office is trying to ensure greater energy security and the reduction in transportation needs also helps reduce risk to Airmen.

The Seymour Johnson community is committed to reducing energy consumption in compliance with Executive Order 13423 Energy and Water Reduction Requirements. In accordance with the EO, the base has to reduce energy intensity by 3 percent annually and/or 30 percent by 2015. Also, a 2 percent annual and/or 16 percent reduction in water use is required. For assistance with AF 332 or other maintenance questions, call the 4th Civil Engineer Squadron Operations Service Call at 722-5139.