Operational Base Energy Smarts Finally Emerging - Bigtime

I few weeks ago I posted on "Hybrid Hopes for Greatly Reducing Operational Base Fuel Requirements"

Since then, two more things have come my way.  One was a note from DOD Energy friend and guru Scott Sklar of the DC-based Stella Group, who wrote thusly: 

I asked energy integrator MILSPRAY to bring the unit (mentioned in the post above) to Arlington two weeks ago for the military folks from the different services to 'kick the tires'.  This unit powered the corrosion facility (MCRF) in Quantico, VA from July - October (14 weeks) last year and the fuel savings versus a standard generator was 78.6% (wow), and the the same set-up at 29 Palms, CA. I am beginning to see better-engineered systems that can stand-alone or interact with on-site diesel generators seamlessly.

This is heavy duty news coming from Scott.

Also just received the DOE's Smart and Green Energy (SAGE) for Basecamps final report and it aligns quite nicely with the observations from the previous post. You can read the full document HERE, but just below you'll find the most important bits in summary form.


SAGE: 5 Conclusions

1. Significant energy savings is readily achievable through deploying two kinds of technologies: a. technologies to reduce the energy demand (e.g., insulated shelters, building controls) b. technologies to improve the efficiency of electricity generation (e.g., microgrids, renewable energy). 
2. A combination of energy conservation measures, renewable energy sources, and a smart microgrid can reduce base camp energy consumption by 49%–84% depending on camp size and location. Smart microgrids with energy storage systems supply power with improved voltage and frequency stability, increased grid reliability and longer life of end-use equipment. If microgrids are not possible, right-sizing of existing spot generation has the potential to save significant amounts of fuel annually. 
3. Renewable energy systems can reduce base camp energy demand and fuel use. They can be reliably integrated into smart base camp microgrids without harming grid stability or degrading the output of the renewable source. A combination of spot generation with renewable energy sources is generally not recommended.
4. A properly sized solar hot water (SHW) heating system can supply a significant fraction of a base camp’s water heating requirements using solar energy, thereby saving fuel over standard water heating configurations. 
5. A base camp energy management system, equipped with real-time monitoring and control of base parameters, enables central and informed decision making without overburdening the operator with information. Configurable automatic load shedding provides potential for reducing camp energy consumption for normal operations and for unplanned events. 

SAGE: 5 Recommendations

1. Replace spot generation systems with properly sized power generators that are integrated with smart microgrids. When appropriate, include an energy storage system and a base camp energy management system. When a microgrid is not initially feasible, correctly size the spot generators to meet the actual loads. 
2. Replace poorly or un-insulated tents with insulated, energy efficient shelters featuring right- sized high-efficiency ECUs. Add insulation to uninsulated shelters such as wood-framed or concrete block shelters. Include remotely controllable circuits and integration with a base camp energy management system. 
3. Install a well-designed and right-sized sized SHW system in camps with suitable conditions (e.g., expensive energy, remote areas, strong solar resource, high-volume water heating requirements, etc.). 
4. Implement a base camp energy management system that features remote control capability of electric loads, reporting, and decision support and can feature automated load reduction schemes. 
5. Implement right-sized renewable energy sources suitable for the base camp climate conditions and make sure the renewable energy system can integrate into a microgrid and base camp energy management system.