SENTINEL - Sustainable Energy Capabilities for Enhanced Military Camps and Operations

SENTINEL addresses the urgent need to shift military energy provision from a high reliance on fossil fuels toward sustainable, resilient, and efficient energy solutions. The project aims to enhance the operational efficiency and tactical autonomy of military camps and operations, while reducing logistic burden and supporting a flexible and high-capacity energy supply. SENTINEL will prototype and qualify in operational conditions with armed forces 17 Key Energy Capabilities encompassing advanced energy technologies, enhanced mobility, digital energy solutions, and smart-grid integration, all tested in realistic military scenarios across various climates. These capabilities will be demonstrated in five scenarios: (1) autonomous renewable energy systems in temperate and tropical tactical bases, (2) lifecycle demonstration of a hybrid energy base setup, (3) microgrid supporting advanced energy-efficient equipment in arid zones, (4) renewable energy-based operations in temperate and arctic conditions with hybrid and e-vehicles, and (5) a digital platform for designing and operating autonomous energy-efficient camps globally based on digital twin components, applied for forward operating base of 2000 personnels to tactical operation of 50 personnels. Built upon the EDF 2021 INDY project, SENTINEL brings together 41 entities, leveraging military and civilian expertise to deliver interoperable, secure, and sustainable energy solutions aligned with all stages of military operations. Key outcomes include enhanced resilience for high and low-intensity scenarios, reduced reliance on fossil fuels, and minimized logistic demands. Additionally, SENTINEL will strengthen the EU’s Defence Technological and Industrial Base by accelerating the military’s green and digital energy transformation, adapting civilian energy technologies for military use, and fostering continuous innovation for Key Energy Capabilities deployment between 2030 and 2050.