[MERC] Military Energy Resilience Catalyst Program

#MERCMonday | The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) deployed a first-of-its-kind #hydrogen-powered small #microgrid at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico, thanks to partners such as the WSMR DPW, U.S. Army DEVCOM, and ARL AIHPA. What It Is. The "nanogrid" provided by Sesame Solar combines advanced #energy techniologies such as a fuel cell, hydrogen and #battery energy storage, #solar panels, and more into a compact, self-sufficient power system. Why It Matters. "Technology demonstrations such as this #nanogrid push the message forward for on-site energy #generation, providing #resilience for energy supply and logistics. Having a diversity in energy supply allows the military to operate in a contested environment, " said Carol Bailey PMP, CMAP, Engineer, project manager from ERDC's Construction Engineering Research Laboratory. 💬"Innovative approaches to reduce energy demand drive change in the way we think about energy. Demonstrating the capabilities of a hydrogen-fueled nanogrid in real-time operational environment shows the art of the possible with renewable energy." - Carol Bailey Details. https://lnkd.in/g3hT5NVf

👏 Congratulations to 2024 Cohort Member Major Dan Uresti for turning his MERC Project Concept into reality by organizing the "Energy Resiliency & Cybersecurity Virtual Symposium." What It Is. The virtual Symposium will bring together #energy managers and cyber/intel professionals who want to learn more about concepts and best practices to protect energy systems at United States Department of Defense #installations. When. 5 February 2025, 0900 - 1500 (Central) Register by TOMORROW, 17 January. https://lnkd.in/eP4QE3De

#MERCMonday | Fort Carson installed a 1MW "GridStar Flow" energy storage system to strengthen their #energyresilience, thanks to collaboration between their Directorate of Public Works, US Army Corps of Engineers Omaha District and Huntsville Center, Colorado Springs Utilities, and Lockheed Martin. What It Does. The pilot battery system can discharge energy for 10 hours, and it is estimated to deliver uninterruptable power to about 400 homes. Why It Matters. “At Fort Carson, this project will save us money, increase our installation’s energy and natural disaster resilience, and enhance our ability to fight on any battlefield as a power projection platform,” said Maj. Gen. David Doyle, Commanding General, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson 💬 “The ‘GridStar Flow’ battery is the future of #energystorage and sustainability at Fort Carson, the US Army and United States Department of Defense,” said Dr. Andy Nelson, Director, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Details. https://lnkd.in/eyFr5WF2

#MERCMonday | Fort Hunter Liggett hosted a "Hack the Army Microgrid" #cyberresilience assessment to identify vulnerabilities in the installation's recently-commissioned #microgrid. What It Is. The assessment recruited the expertise of 11 security researchers who tested for hidden vulnerabilities in various components of the microgrid, such as its #batterystorage, integration controllers, and solar arrays. 💬“Each microgrid system is a snowflake – meaning they are all constructed differently to meet the needs of a site. One size does not fit all when it comes to cyber resilience approaches." - Jarrod Ross, Resource Efficiency Manager at Fort Hunter Liggett Why It Matters. The results uncovered from the assessment will strengthen Fort Hunter Liggett's microgrid to ward off potential cyber attacks. The Bigger Picture. "With threats to California power grids from drought conditions and wildfires to man-made attacks, our backup energy system must be reliable to support our Soldiers and the mission." - Col. Stephen S. Trotter, Garrison Commander Details. https://lnkd.in/eDCJTMMF

#MERCMonday | NEW Release: The United States Department of Defense issued DoDI 4715.28, "Military Installation #Resilience," through the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment. What It Is. DoD components are instructed to address: 🔸The resilience of DoD’s military #installations, 🔸Current and future extreme weather, #climate risks, and cyber threats, and 🔸The resilience of essential resources outside of a military installation that are necessary for #missionassurance and mission-essential functions. Energy and Water Resilience. Planning and programming includes promoting carbon pollution-free #electricity generation, cyber-resilient #microgrids, and #waterconservation, reuse, efficiency, and security. Details. https://lnkd.in/ehqTKXnb

#MERCMonday | Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton was awarded $42 million to construct a long-duration #batterystorage facility. 🔢 The Value. Operational in summer 2027, it is expected to provide 6 megawatts and 48 megawatt-hours of backup power at the base. The Larger Impact. Camp Pendleton’s facility will bolster the statewide power grid when it's not providing backup power to the base. 💬 “By integrating these advanced storage systems, the United States Marine Corps can more efficiently manage #energy demand, ensure continuity of operations during #grid outages and reduce dependency on traditional fuels,” said Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment. Learn More. https://lnkd.in/e6tZDyMY

The U.S. Army is engaging with the advanced nuclear energy industry to explore potentially siting a microreactor on one or more Army installations by 2030, in furtherance of the Army’s commitment to installation resilience and mission readiness. “When it comes to installation energy resilience and reliable power to support operational and strategic readiness on installations, we can’t leave anything off the table,” said Rachel Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. “We are actively developing a solution set that includes all types of power that will meet those needs; nuclear is one that we are looking at as part of our deliberate and thoughtful planning.” Learn more about how the Army considers microreactors to increase installation readiness and resilience 🔗https://lnkd.in/e98RRjfv

We’re proud to announce that three Army projects were selected to receive #AFFECTfunding from the Federal Energy Management Program | U.S. Department of Energy! This is an incredible achievement and recognizes each group’s continued work to sustain the Army’s mission and promote energy resilience on our installations. The Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) grant program helps Federal agencies implement energy and water efficiency upgrades in Federal projects that advance building sciences in the areas of resilience and energy and water conservation. This funding will support the following projects: 1. Fort Bliss Net-Zero Water Reuse Facility and Water Wells Project: Focused on water resilience through large-scale water reuse of 600 MG of wastewater annually and the addition of on-site new water wells to ensure water supply during city outages. 2. 81st Readiness Division in Georgia: Focused on a feasibility study for a utility energy service contract at 10 buildings in collaboration with Georgia Power Company. AFFECT grant funding will help implement more costly energy conservation measures (ECMS) contract options offered such as solar panels to generate on-site electricity and replacing unit heaters with more efficient infrared heaters. 3. White Sands Missile Range (WSMR): Will use the funding to study opportunities to integrate new net-zero assets improving installation resilience, with a focus on net-zero possibilities for its wastewater treatment plant. All of our projects will bolster energy efficiency, create a more resilient environment for our community, and lower energy and water costs (saving taxpayer dollars). Learn more about these innovative projects and the impact they will have locally and nationally: https://lnkd.in/eXnrjQWG

👏 Congratulations to MERC Alumnus Christopher Babcock for publishing "Flight path to zero-fifty : addressing the Air Force greenhouse gas pollution problem." What It Is. A deep dive into how the United States Department of the Air Force's climate #resilience goals are tracking with #missionassurance and readiness. The Impact on Mission. Leveraging his [MERC] Military Energy Resilience Catalyst Program experience, Chris proposes a “Flight Path to Zero-Fifty” plan that considers how policy, programs, and partnerships can achieve climate and mission responsible goals. "I would also like to thank the [MERC] Military Energy Resilience Catalyst Program faculty and my fellow MERC cohort members for their feedback and access to resources, and the SERDP & ESTCP for funding the MERC program" (Babcock, 2024, p. vii) Read More. https://lnkd.in/efxnmxPD 📸Pictured (left to right). Tim Tetreault and Chris Babcock at Energy Exchange in 2022

#MERCMonday | “Energy independence for military families directly strengthens Oʻahu’s energy #infrastructure. The financial savings generated through this project will be reinvested into housing improvements and #community amenities” - Justin Kern, Executive General Manager for U.S. Communities at Lendlease. 🔋Powering the Future. U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii celebrated the installation of #renewableenergy systems at 200 military homes in Aliamanu Military Reservation, in partnership with Holu Hou Energy and Island Palm Communities. ☀️ Impact. Each home received a 10kW #solarPV and 25kWh #energystorage system that is connected to a larger "EnergyCluster" network. Excess solar power can be redistributed between homes in the network, reportedly ensuring 75-80% of residents' energy needs are met without reliance on the public grid. Why It Matters. USAG Hawaii's efforts to build an islandable #microgrid align with the US Army’s broader #energy security and #resilience goals. Learn More. https://lnkd.in/euHZWNfz