Military Microgrid: Fort Bliss Case Study

Oct. 1, 2014
Princeton Power Systems provided its Energy Storage System (ESS) as a back-up source and energy resource for a new microgrid system at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss in Texas.

Fort Bliss located in El Paso, Texas is a military microgrid featuring an Energy Storage System from Princeton Power Systems.

Overview:
Princeton Power Systems provided its Energy Storage System (ESS) as a back-up source and energy resource for a new microgrid system at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss in Texas. Princeton Power Systems is the subcontractor to the microgrid system being developed by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), who is leading the project. The Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Security Technology Certification Program funded Lockheed Martin’s microgrid demonstration and the energy storage technology provided by Princeton Power Systems as part of DoD’s Energy Test Bed initiatives on military installations.

“The U.S. Army has clearly indicated its desire to be a world leader in the adoption of renewable energy generation resources. Integration with energy storage and microgrid technology is critical for providing security, reliability, and low cost renewable energy both domestically and abroad.” Alan Cohen, Application Engineering Manager, Princeton Power Systems

Results:
The 20-foot containerized ESS provided by Princeton Power Systems consists of one 100-kW grid-tied inverter (GTIB) and multiple advanced lead-acid batteries, capable of producing 20 kWh’s of energy. In the event of a power outage, the ESS provides enough energy to power the base, thus allowing it to function as an independent energy resource.

In addition to seamless transition during grid failure, the ESS also provides valuable support services, including Power Factor Correction and Area Frequency Regulation services to the local electrical system operator while it is connected to the electric grid. It is the ESS’ seamless transition and operational abilities that make it an ideal tool for this project, providing increased reliability and security to Fort Bliss.

“We are happy to see real steps being taken to implement these policies, and to be part of the team making it happen,” says Princeton Power Systems’ Chief Strategy Officer Darren Hammell. The Fort Bliss microgrid installation is being managed by Lockheed Martin, who is the prime contractor on the program.

Princeton Power Systems designs and manufactures state-of-the-art technology solutions for energy management, microgrid operations and electric vehicle charging. For current microgrid updates, job postings and relevant case studies, follow Princeton Power Systems on LinkedIn.

To see other Microgrid Knowledge Microgrid case studies visit the case studies channel.

About the Author

Kevin Normandeau | Publisher

Kevin is a veteran of the publishing industry having worked for brands like PC World, AOL, Network World, Data Center Knowledge and other business to business sites. He focuses on industry trends in the energy efficiency industry.

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