Ministry of National Defense Photovoltaic Energy Storage System

Can long-duration energy storage (LDEs) meet the DoD's 14-day requirement?

This report provides a quantitative techno-economic analysis of a long-duration energy storage (LDES) technology, when coupled to on-base solar photovoltaics (PV), to meet the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) 14-day requirement to sustain critical electric loads during a power outage and significantly reduce an installation’s carbon footprint.

Does the Department of Defense need a new approach to electrical grid infrastructure?

T he Department of Defense (DOD) needs a new approach to electrical grid infrastructure to maintain security and access to operational energy. Recent natural disasters and cyber attacks have exposed the vulnerability of the current system, posing threats to military operational readiness.

What are DoD's energy requirements?

DoD has two key installation energy requirements: (1) energy resilience and (2) CFE to reduce CO2 emissions both on an annual basis and hour by hour. DoD’s energy resilience goals require it to have the ability to support its mission-critical loads during a grid outage for up to 14 days.

Should military installations use Antora energy's LDEs battery?

It yields an NPV that is more than $20 million higher than the electric-energy-only case. This allows the optimized system to use a larger solar PV and does not compromise the electric energy resiliency. This study assessed the potential value for military installations of a future commercial version of Antora Energy’s LDES battery.

What are the force multiplier requirements for a defense energy architecture?

Availability, affordability, and uninterrupted power are the force multiplier requirements governing the transition away from legacy systems toward independent microgrids. It is critical that a transition to a defined Defense Energy Architecture, based on these principles, be developed and implemented soon. JFQ

How much would a solar PV system cost at Patuxent River NAS?

If only 100 or 200 acres of land were available, the largest solar PV that could be deployed at Patuxent River NAS would provide a 20-year NPV of $16.35 million or $29.02 million, respectively.