The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is developing a standardized mobile microgrid unit with battery storage for ensuring reliable power supply for its Arctic operations.
This effort, called the Arctic Grid Energy Solutions (AGES) project, will increase DoD's demand signal for commercial cold region batteries, reduce barriers for the commercial sector to work with the DoD, and pave the way for future cold region microgrids with battery advancements to be seamlessly integrated and adopted within military platforms.
The microgrid unit with battery storage will be developed such that it will be able to sustain in temperatures as low as -60F. The contract for building the prototype has been awarded to HDT Global of Solon, Ohio.
“The AGES system is a micro-grid composed of a battery coupled with generators in containers designed to withstand the brutal Arctic environment. The goal is to have a reliable and efficient micro-grid that is scalable and transportable, allowing various uses in supporting domestic and international missions,” explained Commander Joel McMillan, U.S. Navy, of NORAD and USNORTHCOM. “The AGES system aims to provide reliable and efficient power to Arctic base camps, special operations, radar stations, communication nodes, and other critical Arctic applications. The AGES prototype is expected to be tested in the fall of 2023 and to be part of the 2024 Arctic Edge Exercise in Alaska.”
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The array of governmental groups working with DIU is huge. Those includes the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), The U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), The Office of the Undersecretary of Defense Acquisition and Sustainment, Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund, The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Rapid Reaction Technology Office, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Engineer Research and Development Center’s (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory Testing and Demonstration, The ERDC Construction Engineering Research Laboratory, The Office of Naval Research, Cybersecurity Oversight, The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, The U.S. Army Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support, Expeditionary Energy and Sustainment Systems, and The MITRE Corporation on this Arctic Grid Energy Solutions (AGES) project.
