A CNA Military Advisory Board Assessment: National Security Interests of the US Assured Electric Power and Accelerating Risk of Climate Change

July 8, 2016
ME Lecture Hall
1300

LtGen Kenneth Eickmann, USAF (Ret)

Senior Research Fellow, Energy Institute and Deputy Director, Center for Energy Security, University of Texas, Austin

Abstract

Climate change impacts will continue to challenge key elements of our National Power and encumber our homeland security.  Of particular concern are climate impacts to our military, infrastructure, economic and social support systems.  The impacts of climate change are detrimental to military readiness, strain base resilience both at home and abroad, and may limit our ability to respond to future demands. There will be an increased demand for the military to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, both at home and abroad.

National security requires that we have reliable, accessible, sustainable and affordable electric power. Existing technologies like micro-grids, and proven distributed electrical generation systems including wind, solar, and geothermal, and evolving systems using distributed electrical generation plants like commercial scale hydrogen engines, fuel cells, small modular reactors, and other emerging energy storage systems can increase electrical generation and distribution security.  These technologies, coupled with energy efficiency can provide the U.S. with a more reliable and secure power supply.

Biography

LtGen Eickmann served honorably in the US Air Force for 31 years while completing 22 assignments. He served as a reliability and maintainability engineer on the F-106 and C-5 aircraft, and an F100 engine systems manager and division chief at an air logistics center and at the Air Staff. Among his major commands he served as Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. The state of Oklahoma declared July 11, 1995 "General Ken Eickmann Day" in recognition of his leadership and assistance to federal and state rescue and recovery efforts following the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. His last assignment was Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he led the nation's largest center of excellence for research, development, and acquisition of aircraft, aeronautical equipment, and munitions.

General Eickmann earned his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas (UT), graduating as a distinguished graduate of UT’s ROTC program. He later earned his Master's Degree in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Among his many awards LtGen Eickmann earned the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, and the Distinguished Service Medal.

A recognized expert in propulsion technology, he has published several papers in technical journals in the United States and overseas. He is also a registered professional engineer and certified acquisition professional in acquisition logistics (Level III), program management (Level III) and systems planning, research, development and engineering (Level III).

POC

Dr. Daniel A. Nussbaum
Naval Postgraduate School 
Principal, Energy Academic Group
Monterey CA 93943
Phone: 831-656-2387
Mobile: 831-324-3228
Email: dnussbaum@nps.edu