Military's New Energy Paradigm: Energy Security

My work with E Source entailed preparing a document to help utility account managers better serve military bases. During my research I found a widely read new document that has changed the way the military views energy. The Defense Science Board's 2008 report directly challenged the integrity of the U.S.-Canadian electric grid, citing "its design metric is efficiency more than resiliency. As a consequence, it is vulnerable to natural disaster or deliberate attack." The report cites the Northeast blackout of August 2003 as the best example of its ability to be compromised, asserting that "the incident highlights how easily the grid could be taken down."

This has framed energy in a new light for the military. "Energy Security" is the term used to describe the military's energy needs. The Army has created a list of five energy security goals:
• Reduced energy consumption
• Increased energy efficiency across platforms and facilities
• Increased use of renewable and alternative energy
• Assured access to sufficient energy supplies
• Reduced adverse environmental effects

Generally, energy security constitutes meeting the energy needs of the military with optimal reliability and minimal footprint. However those in military circles, particularly the Army, have taken it to a new level with a concept popularly known as "islanding." "Islanding" is the ability of a military base to disconnect from the grid and self-sustain its own energy needs, usually through renewable generation that does not require fuel imports. The concept of "islanding" has grown in popularity and we have already seen the beginnings of its implementation.

The Army has set a goal of islanding 25 bases. The best example for the Army’s drive towards islanding is taking place at Fort Irwin, California. Located in the Mojave Desert, the army is building a 500 MW solar array that will be capable of meeting all its energy needs.

Renewables are not without their shortcomings. Wind and Solar, the two most popular, are dependent on uncontrollable factors, like the availability and consistency of wind and sunlight. Total reliance on these technologies has troubled some base officials, particularly with regards to the backup generation systems necessary to temper wildly changing loads.

So energy security has an inherit paradox. The appeal of islanding is alluring, however base commanders are not willing to sacrifice operational readiness to fit in unreliable technology.

Heads of large utilities have welcomed these developments with mixed enthusiasm. Although large renewable projects are exciting, increasing efficiency with small cost effective methods should come first. But the military is serving as a launching pad for innovative, large scale renewable projects.

UPDATE: Last Friday I had an excellent meeting with Dr. Chen of JMU regarding oxygen depletion. Dr. Chen and I are both working on the calculations necessary to make the various forecast necessary for a concrete conclusion. I will keep my loyal audience updated on this issue on a consistent basis.