U.S. Air Force Research Lab Awards $18 Million Contract to Develop Advanced Energy Storage Solutions
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Energy Office has awarded an $18 million contract to Concurrent Technologies Corporation (CTC) to develop advanced energy storage solutions that will support military operations in the future.
CTC is an independent, nonprofit scientific research and development firm, based in Johnstown, PA. Under the five-year contract, CTC will design, implement and demonstrate a large capacity energy storage system that can supply Air Force missions with resilient power in all environments — including extreme heat, cold, humidity, and arctic conditions — with the goal of reducing the number of power generation assets required to sustain Air Force missions.
“This project is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how advanced energy storage systems can provide reliable power in even the most challenging environments,” Kevin Merichko, CTC project manager, said in a statement. “Our team is committed to delivering a solution that not only meets the Air Force’s immediate needs but also serves as a model for future energy resiliency efforts across the Department of the Air Force.”
CTC’s project team will include around 15 experts in electrical and controls engineering, Computer Aided-Design (CAD), project management and procurement.
U.S. military continues to support energy storage technology development
The contract, which has options to grow up to $25 million, was issued under the AFRL’s Operational Energy and Installation Resilience Program.
Headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, AFRL is the Air Force’s primary research and development arm. With major research sites in New Mexico, Florida, New York, California and Tennessee, AFRL is charged with developing technologies for the country’s air, space and cyberspace forces.
The Air Force is not alone in its desire to support its warfighters with better energy storage technology. Notably, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the Air National Guard are testing Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) systems for use at military bases around the world.
CTC, which provides a variety of digital, energy and readiness solutions, has a long-standing partnership with the military. Earlier this month the organization was awarded a $21 million contract to provide cybersecurity services for the Marine Corps Installations Pacific region.
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Kathy Hitchens
Special Projects Editor
I work as a writer and special projects editor for Microgrid Knowledge. I have over 30 years of writing experience, working with a variety of companies in the renewable energy, electric vehicle and utility sector, as well as those in the entertainment, education, and financial industries. I have a BFA in Media Arts from the University of Arizona and a MBA from the University of Denver.