The ability to reliably incorporate solar PV and energy storage into military energy systems is a critical objective for the United States DOD. Reliance on diesel fuel in remote regions in the world is a weak point in military operations, and the results can be costly and deadly due to the challenge of transporting fuel through hostile regions. Additionally, the us DOD recognizes climate change as a driver of increasing instability, resulting in internal and external pressure to reduce emissions.
Often called the Climate Elephant at climate negotiations, The US Department of Defense (DOD) is the largest consumer of fossil fuels, and the biggest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. Diesel can cost up to $400 per gallon by the time it gets to the front line. Transporting fuel in war-zones is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, which is one of many reasons military bases are looking at renewable energy microgrids.
For these reasons, the US military has become one of the key drivers of microgrid growth, as government funding advances mobile power and hybrid microgrid solutions. The investment has already made military microgrid projects more secure and reliable.
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Military Microgrid projects currently being tracked include:
Otis Air National Guard Base, Sandwich, MA, United States
WIND, SOLAR
GROTON SUBMARINE BASE
Naval Submarine Base New London, Crystal Lake Road, Groton, CT, United States
COGENERATION, DIESEL
1500 KW Gas/Diesel Storage 13,000KW
PHILADELPHIA NAVY YARD MICROGRID
Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia County, PA, United States
Microgrids play a vital role in global military operations. Military Microgrids can firm up security on domestic bases as well as foreign military bases. According to Peter Asmus of Pike Research, all military bases will become microgrids.
The military loves acronyms, and this is a good one.
THE SMART POWER INFRASTRUCTURE
DEMONSTRATION FOR ENERGY RELIABILITY AND SECURITY
SPIDERS is a coalition of government agencies and national laboratories is working to increase electric power surety by developing new microgrid architectures that can function independently of the bulk electric grid.
SPIDERS VISION:
To create fully independent and secure microgrids that are resilient to power disruption, protected against cyber attack, and reflect more sustainable energy practices, including greater efficiency, less reliance on fossil fuels, and integrating renewable sources of electricity generation.
Fractal Grid
San Diego based CleanSpark has offered a cyber-secure alternative to the SPIDERS microgrid architecture that meets military objectives and is infinitely scalable. The “grid of grids” concept was deployed at Camp Pendleton in California where the project has caught the eye of many military branches. It came out of a need for the base to meet energy security objectives without significant time or R&D investment.
Military Microgrid List to date::
GROTON SUBMARINE BASE, MAXWELL AFB, CAMP PENDLETON, PHILADEPHIA NAVY YARD, FORT SILL, FORT CARSON, PEARL HARBOUR, WEST POINT, FORT DEVENS, CANNON AFB, VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, KIRTLAND AFB MICROGRID, FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, ANDAMAN ISLAND – (INDIAN COAST GUARD MICROGRID), CAMP SMITH, WEST POINT, INDIAN HEAD NWC, FORT BELVOIR DC MICROGRID, CANNON AFB, KIRTLAND AFB, OTIS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, GROTON SUBMARINE BASE
‘FRACTAL GRID’
WIND, PV, DIESEL,
WIND, SOLAR