A new energy Device – the Scorpion Energy Hunter – designed to help reduce the loss of life of service men and women, will be field tested by the Marine Corps Reserves during its Exercise Javelin Thrust this month in Hawthorne, Nevada, located 135 miles southeast of Reno, the company tells TLS. Designed and developed by MILSPRAY Military Technologies in Lakewood’s Industrial Park, the Scorpion is a self-sustainable energy solution that will help reduce the military’s reliance on JP-8 fuel used in generators by 70 percent.

The Scorpion converts DC energy to AC generated by photovoltaic panels and wind turbines on demand and significantly slashes the fuel and length of time needed to run generators. Last year alone, the U.S. military consumed five billion gallons of fuel for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We researched the numbers and between 10-20 percent of casualties were the result of fuel convoys,” said MILSPRAY President & CEO Todd Bullivant. “The loss of human life is more of a concern than the cost of fuel. But fuel costs are outrageous when you consider they range from $17-$400 per gallon.” The Marine Corps estimates that one service member is killed for every 24 convoys.

There are two quadcon containers (8 ft. long, 4 ft. 9 3/8” wide and 8 ft. high each) to the system so that they can be shipped by air, on land or sea. Both quadcons have arrays that harvest energy from solar panels and wind turbines. The energy is stored in a battery bank. Four inverters convert the batteries’ energy from DC voltage to AC.

The Scorpion has a battery bank storage capacity of 126,000 Wh and is able to power MILSPRAY’s Expeditionary Vehicle Wash System for 3-4 days (depending upon the amount of sun and wind) before the 100 gallon diesel-powered generator starts, and it only has to run for six hours to recharge the batteries while still powering the load. It’s robust enough to run a house for a few days.

The second quadcon serves as a storage container for sixteen 210-watt high heat solar panels that maintain nearly five percent more output than competitive panels under hot conditions. The panels rest on shock isolation pads in the container to prevent damage during transport.

Each quadcon is capable of holding four telescoping wind turbines on masts that can be raised to 25 feet. Each turbine weighs 13 pounds and can generate power in wind speeds between 7-32 miles per hour.

Founded in 2003, MILSPRAY Military Technologies specializes in products, systems, and services that extend the useful life of military vehicles, aircraft, ships, weapons, and equipment and is a manufacturer of renewable energy systems for military and government use. MILSPRAY is headquartered in Lakewood, N.J., also has and office in Huntsville, Ala. and employs 70. TLS.

You can visit their website at www.milspray.com.