5 May 2025

Assessing a Mobile Microgrid to Support Electric Vehicle Charging Stations on Army Installations

Abstract: Supplying reliable, off-grid power is critical for transitioning the Army’s fleet to zero carbon emitting vehicles. At the same time, vehicle charging and mission support equipment may require increased electrical loads than currently experienced at Army installations. Other decarbonization initiatives require clean sources of energy. Using microgrids powered with renewable electricity generation systems is a viable, independent solution for powering electric vehicles. Yet, there is a need to fill information gaps in the performance of these systems for realizing sustainable and resilient energy. The goal of this project was to increase the Army’s energy resilience by reducing reliance on the utility grid by using a compact and mobile microgrid that functions as an EV charging station. In this study, a trailered, mobile microgrid that integrates solar panels, a diesel generator, and batteries is evaluated based on performance under varying conditions. The energy generation capabilities are documented and evaluated for capabilities for powering electric vehicles. The outcomes of this research are the advancement of energy resiliency and the addition of performance in temperate and cold regions to the knowledge base. It is also anticipated this research may be leveraged to facilitate power independence and further support decarbonization efforts.

9 Dec 2024

Analysis of Microgrid Performance, Reliability, and Resilience (AMPeRRe) Computational Model Novel Analytical Model to Forecast the Outcomes of Installation Power Grids

Abstract: Federal facilities, industrial areas, academic campuses, and communities are working to incorporate greater renewable energy sources and energy storage in their power infrastructure. While renewable sources of energy can—and do—support several facilities, uncertainty still exists about how reliably these sources of energy can support small and critical power systems with higher reliability standards, such as Army installations, tactical microgrids, remote community grids, and emergency response power systems. Maintaining reliability is already a significant challenge for power grids, and those that have a high proportion of renewable energy face particular challenges due to their intermittent power production. This technical report addresses the uncertainty by presenting a new computational model called Analysis of Microgrid Performance, Reliability, and Resilience (AMPeRRe). The model forecasts the power availability, fuel consumption, specific resilience factors, and excess energy production of proposed grids that include renewable energy sources and energy storage. If proposed grids are forecasted to lose power availability, users can apply this model to find which resources are needed to achieve 100% power availability and optimize resource quantities for ideal performance outcomes. AMPeRRe significantly reduces the uncertainty around renewable energy and energy storage in power grids and informs the critical resource investment decisions needed to yield improved long-term outcomes.

5 Oct 2021

Installation Resilience in Cold Regions Using Energy Storage Systems

Abstract: Electrical energy storage (EES) has emerged as a key enabler for access to electricity in remote environments and in those environments where other external factors challenge access to reliable electricity. In cold climates, energy storage technologies face challenging conditions that can inhibit their performance and utility to provide electricity. Use of available energy storage technologies has the potential to improve Army installation resilience by providing more consistent and reliable power to critical infrastructure and, potentially, to broader infrastructure and operations. Sustainable power, whether for long durations under normal operating conditions or for enhancing operational resilience, improves an installation’s ability to maintain continuity of operations for both on- and off-installation missions. Therefore, this work assesses the maturity of energy storage technologies to provide energy stability for Army installations in cold regions, especially to meet critical power demands. The in-formation summarized in this technical report provides a reference for considering various energy storage technologies to support specific applications at Army installations, especially those installations in cold regions.