The »INDY-Energy Independent and Energy Efficient Military Camps« project reached a significant milestone with its 5th All PartnersEvent, held on 22–23 January 2025 at the Hotel nhow Brussels Bloom in Belgium. This final gathering of project partners marked the symbolic conclusion of one of the first European projects under the European Defence Fund (EDF) programme, addressing green energy and the resilience of the European Defence sector related to energy security.
Throughout the project, 20 partners and 9 subcontractors from 13 European countries strengthened their collaboration, secured active participation in key EU defence energy programmes, and helped the way for efficient, self-sufficient military camps of the future.
The 5th All Partners Event was divided into two days. The first day was dedicated to disseminating project outcomes and results. The event brought together over 120 representatives and key stakeholders from Ministries of Defence, the European Commission (EC), the European Defence Agency (EDA), NATO, INDY project partners, and other leading organisations. The second day was dedicated to the Project Partners and MoDs.
Ensuring a resilient and efficient energy supply
At the plenary session, moderated by INDY Management Team Members Yasmine Samarani (RHEINMETALL/DE), Bernard Thonon (CEA/FR), and Peter van Hooft (TNO/NL), the project's key achievements and its 2030–2050 strategic roadmap were presented. The speakers highlighted the increasing energy security risks military operations face due to climate change, geopolitical instabilities, and rising energy demands. Maintaining operational and tactical capabilities is essential to ensuring a resilient and efficient energy supply.
To address fundamental challenges in the defence sector, INDY actively engaged with defence ministries and tailored its approach to their specific operational needs. The project conducted extensive end-user consultations, defining operational requirements and developing scenarios for four types of military camps suited to different climate zones. These scenarios provided a roadmap for the evolution of energy systems in 2030 and 2050, ensuring that future military infrastructures align with emerging security and sustainability challenges.
The project set measurable targets for 2030 which, compared to the 2020 infrastructure, would deliver the following improvements:
- 35%–55% energy autonomy for camps and 13% for operations
- 35%–45% reduction in logistics burden
- 15%–28% reduction in ownership costs
- 40%–80% reduction in carbon footprint
Presenting Future Energy Solutions for Military Camps
The speakers explained that by 2030, diesel-powered generators will likely remain the primary electricity source for military camps, but with a progressive integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage to enhance energy efficiency and reduce fuel dependency. Military-grade hydrogen solutions, such as hydrogen storage and fuel cells, are expected to emerge, while micro-grid solutions with advanced controls will be deployed in smaller camps to improve operational flexibility.
Looking ahead to 2050, all key energy capabilities are projected to be available at a military-grade level, with next-generation technologies fully developed and deployed. Military camps will achieve a net-zero CO2 footprint, with over 50% of electricity generated locally. Sustainable alternatives, including e-fuels, biofuels, and hydrogen-derived fuels, will entirely replace fossil fuels. Microgrids will become the standard for energy distribution, while AI-driven control and management systems will optimize energy consumption, ensuring maximum efficiency and resilience in military operations.
Strengthening collaboration between the civil and defence industries
End users presented INDY's potential and its impact on future joint actions by Member States during the second part of the plenary session. Participants emphasized that, with the support of the European Defence Fund and the active involvement of Ministry of Defence representatives in the INDY End-User Advisory Board, significant progress has been made in developing energy-efficient military camps, laying the foundation for future development and demonstration activities.
Participants emphasized that strengthening collaboration between the civil and defence industries is mutually beneficial, focusing on critical technologies and ensuring the EU’s capacity to produce them. Key priorities for the future include securing access to raw materials, enhancing industrial manufacturing capabilities, and establishing medium- to long-term investment programmes.
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