Deployable-Renewable Energy Power Station at Fort Irwin, California
Training ranges on Army installations are often in remote areas with rugged terrain. The logistics of supplying power to these training areas is difficult because of the lack of utility power, and the requirement for transporting and utilizing diesel generators. Over the past several years the U.S. military has been very concerned with its energy consumption. At the same time, energy security and decreasing the dependency of fossil fuels have also been some of the major objectives of the Department of Defense (DoD). In order to decrease energy consumption, the DoD is relying heavily on renewable energy sources.
The Army's National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California, provide approximately 5 kW of nominal power to each of approximately 25 communication (Wi-Fi) towers, which are many miles from commercial power. The NTC Operations Group is upgrading these facilities and trying to reduce dependency on the large propane generators currently used. Fort Irwin has significant renewable resources in the form of both wind and solar, which can be used to provide power to these Wi-Fi towers in a modular hybrid configuration. The hybrid power system for each Wi-Fi tower would consist of wind turbines, a photovoltaic array, batteries, and a small propane generator, to provide peaking and backup capability. If successful, the Deployable-Renewable Energy Power Station (D-REPS) will save fuel, lessen the logistical burden of fuel transportation, and reduce the emission of harmful pollutants.
The Army's National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California, provide approximately 5 kW of nominal power to each of approximately 25 communication (Wi-Fi) towers, which are many miles from commercial power. The NTC Operations Group is upgrading these facilities and trying to reduce dependency on the large propane generators currently used. Fort Irwin has significant renewable resources in the form of both wind and solar, which can be used to provide power to these Wi-Fi towers in a modular hybrid configuration. The hybrid power system for each Wi-Fi tower would consist of wind turbines, a photovoltaic array, batteries, and a small propane generator, to provide peaking and backup capability. If successful, the Deployable-Renewable Energy Power Station (D-REPS) will save fuel, lessen the logistical burden of fuel transportation, and reduce the emission of harmful pollutants.
School:
North Carolina A&T State University
Department:
Electrical Engineering
Research Advisor:
Roch Ducey
Department of Research Advisor:
US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory
Year of Publication:
2008