ZAMBIA – The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) recently led an Operational Energy (OE) training course for the Zambia Defense Force (ZDF), reinforcing military partnerships between the U.S. and Africa while advancing energy resilience and sustainability on the continent.
Sponsored as part of the Defense Operational Resilience International Cooperation (DORIC) effort, the training aimed to not only integrate renewable energy systems into ZDF operations, but also aligned with strategic goals to sustain mission capability, forward posture and military partnerships, as well as to reduce the dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
Held at the Zambia Defense School of Military Engineering in Mufulira, Zambia, the training provided an invaluable opportunity for U.S. engineers, military personnel and industry experts to collaborate with the ZDF. By equipping ZDF personnel with critical skills in renewable energy technologies, the training directly supported AFRICOM’s strategic objectives to build the capacity and resilience of partner nations, enhance defense ecosystems and deter regional instability caused by unreliable power generation.
ERDC’s OE group, alongside a U.S. Navy Seabee Senior Chief and industry partners from both the U.S. and Zambia, led the training under the direction of ERDC-CERL’s Tom Decker, Craig White and Jonathan Goebel, the team worked closely with both the host nation and industry experts to deliver a week-long workshop focused on integrating renewable energy systems such as Photovoltaic (PV) and Biogas technologies into military operations.
"It was inspiring to see the enthusiasm and engagement of the entire ZDF throughout the training," said Goebel, mechanical engineer at ERDC-CERL. "Their active participation and thoughtful questions reflected a strong commitment to learning and self-improvement, which was incredibly motivating.”
Through this training, ERDC strengthened its own operational knowledge and capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of energy resilience. By working together with ZDF engineers and local industry partners, ERDC’s team gained insights into the unique challenges faced by military forces in Africa and adapted their approach to better support future operational energy needs in similar environments.
The course provided foundational knowledge on PV systems, including sourcing local PV, utilizing commercial systems, wiring, PV theory and sizing PV systems for specific infrastructure. Participants also learned about Biogas generators and their role in creating fuel from waste. The “train the trainer” course, held at the School of Military Engineering, brought together 45 participants, including current instructors and future Zambia Defense engineers.
“It was incredible to see how the enlisted members at the school came together to unload a large PV system from a flatbed truck," said Goebel. “They hand-lifted everything, moving it to its final location with a cadence that was both powerful and inspiring.”
The training comes at a pivotal time for the ZDF, which has relied heavily on wood and fuel for energy when the host nation power is unavailable. The absence of renewable energy courses left a significant gap in the ZDF’s ability to adapt to the evolving energy demands of military operations, especially in the face of current drought challenges and energy sustainability challenges. This project is a crucial step toward reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and improving energy security within Zambia’s military operations.
Working closely with ZDF engineers, the ERDC team laid the foundation for a renewable energy curriculum designed to address both immediate and long-term energy needs. The hands-on approach allowed the team to teach the participants how to build and operate deployable PV systems, biogas digesters, and electrical systems.
“The willingness of the students to get their hands dirty, especially while we were teaching them how to properly make Biogas slurry and during the installation of our large tracking PV system, was impressive,” Goebel noted.
ERDC partnered with Humber-Garick (HG) Engineers, who provided technical support and training for the electrical design of PV systems to include electrical load calculations, PV array sizing, battery storage sizing, and Biogas Technology Zambia, who helped with the digester system training. These industry partners worked closely with the ZDF participants to ensure they gained practical skills necessary to integrate these technologies into their operations.
ERDC also provided essential educational resources, including tools and training aids, classroom materials and lab equipment to focus on solar, biogas and other emerging technologies, which will lay the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient energy infrastructure within Zambia’s military.
This initiative is not only vital for the ZDF but also aligns with the broader goals of AFRICOM to support energy security and operational resilience across the continent. By equipping ZDF personnel with the knowledge and tools to incorporate renewable energy into their operations, the training helps strengthen Zambia’s military capabilities while reducing operational costs and environmental impacts.
SEABEE Senior Chief Fernando Labrada of USAFRICOM, who served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for military-to-military engagement, highlighted the significance of the combined training with the ZDF. The exercise not only underscored the value of sustainable energy but also demonstrated the operational effectiveness of a joint training team.
"Our collaboration with ZDF, alongside USACE, civilian engineers, and USAFRICOM Navy Reserve personnel fostered an exceptionally dynamic learning environment," said Labrada. "ZDF quickly grasped the design and planning of the photovoltaic systems before transitioning to the hands-on work of installation. The fusion of technical expertise, dedication, and teamwork exhibited during this effort stands as a lasting testament to the success of joint civilian and military-led engagements."
“This project directly supports the USAFRICOM Campaign Plan objectives of "Gain and Maintain Access and Influence," and "Coordinate with African Partners." Zambia has become a critical security partner in southern Africa, and by building ZDF capabilities, they are better able to respond to crises with minimal US resources required,” said Garth Anderson, environmental security chief for USAFRICOM.