U.S. Army, Lockheed to demonstrate integrated microgrid

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WASHINGTON, May 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army's first grid-tied, intelligent energy microgrid is being unveiled May 16 at Fort Bliss, Texas.

The microgrid, which will reduce energy costs for the base, integrates renewable energy, local power generation, energy storage and load management to guarantee uninterrupted power.

It was built by Lockheed Martin under the U.S. Department of Defense's Environmental Security Technology Certification Program.

The Army said Lockheed Martin's microgrid installation "will prove the microgrid's ability to provide additional power in times of high energy demand, while reducing overall cost.

"The demonstration will also show the system's ability to maintain power to critical operations despite the elimination of a major power source."

An Intelligent Microgrid manages the distribution of electrical power generated by various sources, continuously balancing loads and supplies while ensuring that all elements of the grid perform at peak efficiency, whether they're connected to a larger grid or operating in an isolated mode.