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Sustaining Military Bases in the Pacific with Advanced Microgrid Technologies

It is difficult to overstate the strategic significance of the U.S. military bases in the Pacific, especially in the current geopolitical climate. These bases play a critical role in securing regional stability, reassuring regional allies, and responding to potential crises in the region. However, due to the nature of these installations, i.e., often island-based with distant and vulnerable resupply routes, U.S. military installations in the Pacific face unique energy challenges, including:


  • Extreme weather events

  • Coordinated attacks from adversaries

  • Cyberattacks

  • Lack of access to imported energy for generators


Russia’s war in Ukraine shows how energy infrastructure can be a primary target for attack. Given the Pacific's arguably greater vulnerabilities, a similar approach would likely play out. 


These vulnerabilities can be addressed by embracing smart microgrids, which give military bases the potential to exist in “island mode” if mains power is cut, support the on-site creation and storage of energy, and give installations greater energy independence and control. These advanced energy systems bolster resilience and promote sustainability, aligning with the Department of Defense's (DoD) goals for reducing carbon emissions and energy dependence.


Graphic of how a military microgrid works

What are Advanced Microgrids?


The advanced microgrids installed at military bases and other facilities, such as medical, industrial, or university campuses, are self-contained energy systems that can operate independently or in conjunction with the main power grid. They typically integrate local power generation, including fossil-fuel generators and renewable energy sources like solar and wind, with modern high-density storage solutions and smart grid technologies that allow for better optimization of energy usage. 


This localized, autonomous approach matches the requirements for Pacific military bases, which could roughly be surmised as being:


  • Not requiring fuel resupply

  • Having a diverse array of power generation assets

  • Having a high volume of energy storage

  • Being able to generate or absorb high power levels on demand

  • Having resilient distribution systems

  • Having a reasonable degree of mobility


Sustaining Military Bases in the Pacific with Microgrids


Here, we’ll examine some features of advanced microgrids in the Pacific and current examples of military microgrids in action.


Providing Resilience in the Face of Natural Disasters


Apart from the dangers of conflict, the Pacific region is also prone to frequent natural disasters, including major earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and volcanic activity. These events can knock out centralized power grids for extended periods, reducing military readiness. For example, the devastating typhoon season can disrupt grid-connected and fuel supply chains, leaving bases without power.


Microgrids mitigate this risk by allowing bases to disconnect from the main grid and operate in island mode, ensuring uninterrupted power supply during extreme conditions. This ability to function autonomously is crucial for maintaining mission-critical operations, such as communication systems, defense installations, and surveillance activities.


Not just in the Pacific but on the home front, most military installations have plans to incorporate microgrids and have autonomous energy potential, such as Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which recently suffered huge damage in a Category 5 hurricane. 


Decentralized Power Systems


Decentralized power systems, using fossil-fuel generators but also including renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines, and energy storage solutions like batteries, further enhance the resilience of military bases. An example of this energy diversification is the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, which can go 21 days in island mode, with its energy sources incorporating turbines driven by methane produced by local landfill dumps.


The Pacific region offers abundant solar and wind resources, making renewables an ideal choice for powering U.S. military bases. Decentralized systems also reduce the need for vulnerable supply chains, particularly those dependent on imported fossil fuels. 


The Pacific Energy Assurance Renewables Laboratory (PEARL) project in Hawai’i is a renewables-based microgrid project for the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, 154th Wing, in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory and National Guard. It seeks to build data on how renewables can deliver self-sustaining military bases in the Pacific context. Solar energy and batteries for storing excess production aim to cover the base’s needs, with backup power, if necessary, in the form of diesel generators.


sun sets over San Diego navy base

Energy Independence and Security


Military operations in remote Pacific islands rely heavily on the transportation of fossil fuels, which are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, as well as the risk of adversaries deliberately targeting civilian (i.e., mains) energy infrastructure. By investing in on-site renewable generation, military bases can reduce reliance on these risky fuel logistics. Solar panels and wind turbines, coupled with energy storage systems, allow bases to generate and store electricity independently. This strengthens energy security and provides a significant cost-saving opportunity over the long term.


The USAF recently oversaw a major structural overhaul of its base at Yokota in Japan, including a 10.72MW combined heat and power (CHP) microgrid. The improvements in energy independence and more efficient energy usage are expected to provide considerable savings of over $12 million, 33 million gallons of water, 75 million kWh of electricity, and reduce emissions by 33,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.  


Enercon and Microgrids


Enercon has considerable expertise in designing, deploying, and managing microgrid solutions tailored to military needs. This includes the modular Mobile Tactical Battlefield Recharger (MTBR), a mobile power-generation unit that can easily be transported over land, sea, and air and is designed to withstand extreme environments, including rain, sand, snow, and high winds. 


Enercon has also played a major role in the Missile Defense Agency's THAAD-PPU (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense - Prime Power Unit). The THAAD-PPU, which can be rapidly deployed by C5 or larger aircraft, is a mobile Tactical Electrical Power Generation unit that provides power in contested environments. 


We are engaged with the military in building a more energy-resilient and independent foundation for Pacific operations. This includes integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into microgrids and enhancing storage capabilities.


The Prime Power Unit (PPU) for the AN/TPY-2 Radar of the THAAD Missile Defense System is being loaded onto a C-17.

Conclusion


Military bases in the Pacific are central to the U.S .military’s current pivot to the region. However, these bases are vulnerable to natural disasters and enemy targeting of local power infrastructure. To ensure continued operation even in adverse conditions, U.S. military bases need to improve energy independence and resilience by installing advanced microgrids. 


These microgrids use mains power but incorporate on-site power generation from fossil-fuel generators and renewable sources like wind, solar, and battery storage. Modern microgrids also integrate technological advancements such as AI and machine learning to optimize energy usage and reduce overall demand while improving operations through predictive maintenance and improved distribution.


The Department of Defense and private partners, including Enercon, are driving this vision for the future of energy resilience at U.S. military bases in the Pacific. Contact our team to learn more about how we can support your microgrid needs, no matter where or how remote the location is. 

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