The United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD) has long recognized that its dependence on outdated and unreliable energy infrastructure poses a risk to its military. This problem has been exacerbated in recent years, with power outages becoming more frequent, disruptive, and costly.
Military facilities have traditionally mitigated grid instability with backup diesel generators, but these are no longer up to the job, as they can only operate for short periods and cause excessive pollution. In recognition of the superior backup power alternatives, the DoD is becoming a global leader in low-carbon microgrid solutions aimed at boosting the US military’s security and resiliency.
While electrical infrastructure across the country is being put to the test, critical operations, like military bases, need to be prepared with a reliable backup power supply. Replacing diesel generators with cleaner and more long-term solutions — like natural gas and renewable natural gas — has therefore become increasingly common among military facilities to ensure mission readiness at all times.
Mounting threats jeopardize grid stability
Just as extreme weather and an aging grid infrastructure are to blame for outages, an increase in domestic and foreign security threats also contribute to the military’s need for improved backup power resilience. In particular, US intelligence agencies have repeatedly cautioned about the threat that cyber hackers pose to the country’s electric grid.
The world is quietly in the midst of a cyberwarfare arms race, and the potential implications on grid stability are profound. Already, the devastation of cyber attacks can be seen globally. In just one recent example, Russia disabled access to countless Ukrainian services and government agencies ahead of its invasion, including the foreign ministry.
Domestic tensions have also been on the rise across the US, creating another potential threat to grid stability. An attack on substations in Moore County, North Carolina, left 40,000 people in the cold near one of the country’s largest military bases. As the damage was caused by low-grade weaponry, the grid’s aging infrastructure clearly represents a strategic vulnerability for the DoD.
Consistency is key to military operations
While diesel generators can be useful for a short duration, they’re inefficient and require regular refueling. In the wake of a natural disaster, conflict zone, or significant outage, however, this isn’t always possible. Puerto Rico, which is heavily dependent on diesel generators, experienced this after Hurricane Fiona. With supplies running desperately low and schools, grocery stores, and gas stations closed, the country was forced to ask for assistance from the US to boost its diesel supply.
With so many lives at stake, military facilities can’t afford to risk losing power and becoming defenseless. This makes diesel inherently unreliable as a microgrid solution, especially compared to natural gas, which is supplied by underground infrastructure protected from the elements and other threats. Natural-gas microgrids offer energy security, allowing military bases to maintain operations at all times — even when the local power supply is knocked out long-term and supplies are running low.
Supporting the safety and security of our nation
In addition to resiliency benefits, natural-gas microgrids offer military facilities a cost-effective way of reducing harmful emissions, meaning both the cause and effect (i.e. extreme weather events) of climate change can be tackled simultaneously. The elimination of diesel combustion in backup power also cuts down on smog-producing particulate matter, nitrous oxide, and volatile organic compounds, improving the health of military operators and the surrounding community.
The US military recently released its first-ever climate change strategy and has set a goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030. While some progress has already been made, with emissions down 20% relative to 2008 levels, natural-gas microgrids offer a cost-effective way of driving further reductions.
For example, Enchanted Rock provides a full-service resiliency solution to a military base in Vicksburg, MS, which houses some of the fastest and most powerful supercomputers in the world. Enchanted Rock was responsible for the design, construction, and commissioning of the microgrid, and will continue to operate and maintain the system for the life of the agreement, relieving the DoD of the operation and maintenance responsibility they had with their previous system.
The DoD leadership’s adoption of low-carbon microgrids will help protect the country’s service men and women while making a real difference in the fight against climate change. Capable of providing resiliency-as-a-service and hedging against grid instability, Enchanted Rock is proud to be supporting the DoD to make sure the US military’s power is always on. And if previous events are an accurate indicator, when the DoD embraces new technologies, the private sector frequently follows its lead. Enchanted Rock will be ready.
