T


ihe


Army addressed


traditionally power


has generation


through a collection of appli- cation-specific, stand-alone


solutions. But no matter how good the individual technology, variations in loads lead to inefficiencies in operation. It is nearly impossible to keep generators oper- ating at peak efficiency when they are operating by themselves. That’s why the right solution is a mix of all technologies.


Micro-grid systems are currently the only solution that allows the incorporation of multiple technologies, such as renew- ables and energy


storage systems, to


supplement traditional power generation techniques. This allows us to create plat- forms that manage and distribute power efficiently while using smaller generators.


This type of distribution


integrated generation and system is


a sustainable


practice that has applicability across all echelons, from the forward operating base down to the individual Soldier.


A DEVELOPING CONCEPT In 2007, the Army Power division of the Communications-Electronics


GETTING SOLUTIONS TO SOLDIERS Research,


Development and Engineering Cen- ter’s Command, Power, and Integration Directorate (CERDEC CPI), formerly the Command and Control Directorate, in technical support of Project Manager Mobile Electric Power within Program Executive Office Command, Control, and Communications – Tactical, was one of the first DoD organizations to work in this area with the start of the Hybrid Intelligent (HI) Power pro- gram,


an


Office of Its goal


is initiative funded by the


the Secretary of Defense. to network generators


and


loads to a common grid to enable source and load management, keeping in check redundancy of power generation and optimizing


generator performance


The Reusing Existing Natural Energy from Wind and Solar (RENEWS) system, which leverages wind generation, solar power, and power storage, is undergoing testing at Communications- Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center’s Command, Power, and Integration (CERDEC CPI) Directorate (formerly the Command and Control Directorate). The system will be shipped out for user evaluations upon completion of testing. Here, NCOs view the RENEWS system as part of the U.S. Army Research, Development, and Engineering Command’s Quarterly NCO Professional Development program. (U.S. Army photo by Allison Barrow.)


while reducing maintenance and the logis- tical footprint.


This is all transparent to the Soldier;


the plug-and-play system has an open, user-friendly architecture that allows for greater operational flexibility.


Earlier versions of this concept, focusing on renewable energy, have been fielded at the Soldier level. For example, the


Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power Sys- tem kit features a photovoltaic panel for solar charging of multiple batteries, thus ensuring continuous power for sensors and radios. (See related article on Page 12.)


The Soldier Power Manager takes this a step further by calculating available and required power and allocating power to loads according to availability and priority. It also allows multiple power


ASC.ARMY.MIL 73


SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY


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