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Sandia Technology logo A quarterly research and development magazine.

Fall 2006
Volume 8, No. 3

SANDIA TECHNOLOGY

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Applying energy surety to military bases — continued


microgrid
The Energy Surety Microgrid for military bases would be an energy system that uses more small generation units and storage near where people live, work, and use power and less reliance on big remote plants. (Graphic by Tom Salazar)
Funding for the project comes from the U.S. Army and the Sandia Laboratory Directed Research and Development program. Energy systems with high levels of energy surety must be safe — safely supplying energy to end users; secure — using diversified energy sources; reliable — maintaining power when and where needed; sustainable — being able to be maintained indefinitely; and cost-effective — producing energy at an acceptable (and preferably lowest) cost.

Menicucci says the current grid system meets some of these criteria, while the proposed microgrid system for military bases would meet all. It is safe — it’s not introducing any new dangers. It’s secure because it uses a diverse mix of fuels — solar, wind, and oil. It’s reliable because it uses a variety of types of generators. There is a redundancy of generation and storage. It’s sustainable because it is using renewable energies. And, it is cost-effective because it uses energy sources that are readily available and appropriate for the site.

The team is now working with the Army to develop an Energy Surety Microgrid for a soonto- be-selected military base. Next spring a test military base will be determined, and a microgrid system will be installed and tested.

“The ultimate goal is to have microgrids at all military bases in the country and eventually in civilian communities,” Menicucci says.

Technical Contact: David Menicucci (505) 844-3077, dfmenic@sandia.gov
Media Contact: Chris Burroughs (505) 844-0948, coburro@sandia.gov