How Solar Power is Redefining Military Operations
The advanced power management systems protecting military bases now guide the development of civilian microgrids, creating more resilient communities. Military testing of
Geothermal energy is a particularly promising solution for the military — virtually every base in the country is on top of subterranean resources they could use for heating and cooling, and many could use it for power. But it's only one of several types of clean energy the Defense Department is exploring or building out.
Military bases have played a similar role since the Obama era in helping to “de-risk” other frontier technologies that are now a growing bulwark of the power system — like the once-exotic pairing of solar and wind power with large-scale batteries.
The biggest barrier to introducing nuclear power to military bases, besides a potential large initial investment, is the word nuclear. Despite the significant rarity of nuclear accidents, the scope and long-term effects of a “Chernobyl” still frighten the population.
In fact, US military installations receive 99% of their power from the civilian power grid. This grid is decades old and suffers from reliability concerns. The fragility of this grid was clearly demonstrated in the 2003 Northeast blackout, which resulted in more than 50 million people in the US and Canada losing power for up to a week.
PDF version includes complete article with source references.
Get technical specifications, application guides, and ROI analysis tools for containerized power stations, portable photovoltaic containers, and microgrid energy storage solutions.
18 Industrial Park Road, Midrand
Johannesburg, South Africa 1685
Sales & General: +27 11 568 3400
Technical Support: +27 82 459 7781
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM SAST
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM SAST