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Army Paves the Way for Sustainable and Secure Power in the Middle East
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - Camp Arifjan has become a beacon of innovation and sustainability with the groundbreaking installation of a first-of-its-kind microgrid system. This project, spearheaded by the U.S. Army Central (USARCENT) Operational Energy Team, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Sain Engineering Associates (SEA), represents a significant leap forward in- military energy management and operational resilience.
The journey to this achievement began with three pilot demonstration projects developed by INL and the U.S. Department of Defense for the U.S. Army Central Command in Kuwait. These initial projects aimed to establish clean energy and sustainability solutions, significantly impacting an area where 99% of power comes from fossil fuels.
The first project successfully guided the hybrid microgrid installation using advanced inverters, battery storage, and solar photovoltaic implementations. This system allowed for a significant reduction in diesel fuel consumption and operational costs, setting a precedent for future developments. The second project implemented a 40-kilowatt carport solar power system, proving that sustainable solutions could effectively replace diesel generation. The third project focused on water reclaiming and recycling, further enhancing environmental sustainability.
Building on the success of these pilot projects, the team was able to scale up and implement a larger, more comprehensive microgrid system at Camp Arifjan.
Jack M. Peters, Operational Energy Program Manager for the ARCENT Engineer directorate, emphasizes the project's significance.
"This isn't only about generating power; it's about ensuring mission readiness regardless of external circumstances. By integrating renewable energy and multiple other power sources, Camp Arifjan is taking control of its own energy security," said Peters.
The microgrid provides balanced control of solar photovoltaic power and a large battery energy storage system, or BESS. It also implements an improved utility grid connection architecture and integrates with a backup power plant and other control features, offering a multitude of benefits:
The microgrid at Camp Arifjan integrates advanced technologies to optimize energy and distribution feeder management. Solar panels installed across the base capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This energy is either used immediately or stored in advanced battery systems for later use. During periods of high demand or low solar generation, the stored energy is deployed from the battery system, ensuring a seamless power supply. When the associated power plant generation is needed, the microgrid BESS system can modulate loading on the generators and provide additional power and voltage regulation services into the selected grid configuration.
The successful implementation of this project is a testament to teamwork and dedication. Kurt Myers and Porter Hill from INL were the visionary minds behind the project while Sain Engineering Associates played a pivotal role in translating the concept into reality. The team continues to support construction and implementation in advisory and review roles.
Abdullah Noor, from SEA, reflects on the project: "Implementing this system demanded meticulous planning and a deep understanding of both the technology and the base's needs. Seeing it come to fruition is incredibly rewarding."
The successful installation required years of planning and extensive collaboration between USARCENT, the Department of Energy, INL, SEA and other key partners. The seamless integration of these technologies not only meets the immediate energy needs of Camp Arifjan but also sets a precedent for future installations on other bases.
Because of these new type of demonstration projects, USARCENT holds a unique distinction: it's the first Energy Resiliency Conservation Investment Program, or ERCIP, project of its kind to receive congressional approval for use and completion in this area of operation. This signifies the strategic importance placed on energy resilience for military installations. Beyond this first large ERCIP project in this area, additional large microgrid and on-site energy projects are planned to follow in the AO, which will further enhance fuel savings and energy resiliency on military bases.
Beyond Efficiency: A Game Changer for Operational Security
The core benefit lies in energy security. The solar energy produced by this system, combined with battery and generator plant backups, can support Camp Arifjan''s mission-critical operations during emergencies and outages, reducing reliance on the host nation's grid. This independence strengthens operational security and ensures mission continuity.
Camp Arifjan's pioneering initiative serves as a model for other military installations. Future iterations aim to expand technological applications, further enhance energy resilience, and strengthen partnerships with industry leaders. This collaborative approach will foster innovation and propel military readiness towards a sustainable future.
The microgrid system at Camp Arifjan represents a landmark achievement in military engineering. This first-of-its-kind initiative sets a new standard for energy resilience, cost efficiency, and environmental stewardship. By harnessing innovation and collaboration, the Army demonstrates its unwavering commitment to meeting the challenges of the modern world with ingenuity and resilience.
As Jack Peters from USARCENT aptly summarized, "This project is a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration and innovative thinking. It''s a major step forward in ensuring that our military installations are prepared for any eventuality."
Camp Arifjan''s pioneering energy initiative is more than just a technological achievement; it is a strategic advancement that will enhance the U.S. Army''s operational capabilities for years to come.
When U.S. military members are deployed in the Middle East, they often have limited access to sustainable energy sources. To help reduce carbon emissions from troops abroad, Idaho National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Defense are developing three pilot demonstration projects that will establish clean energy and sustainability solutions for the U.S. Army Central Command in Kuwait. The projects are part of a program called Operational Energy.
The projects have significant environmental implications for Kuwait, which gets 99% of its power from fossil fuels. Operational Energy will diversify the area''s energy economy with resilient and sustainable power sources. These efforts will also improve quality of life for the soldiers. In particular, troops will no longer eat and sleep in the same space as the diesel generators, grappling with the fumes and noise.
The inaugural project focused on a microgrid solution to store energy and eliminate the need for costly and energy intensive solutions like diesel generators. "The first project successfully guided the first hybrid microgrid installation for the U.S. in Kuwait," said Bob Turk, one of the managers on this project. "We used advanced inverters, battery storage and specialized solar photovoltaic implementations" so the Central Command operation area in Kuwait can operate more sustainably.
More than 60% of this microgrid''s operating power will be renewable, combining battery and solar energy. When the battery gets low, the local diesel generator (now integrated into the microgrid) will automatically supply the load and recharge the battery. This generator will supplement the microgrid''s renewable power system only when needed. The microgrid also makes it possible to cut the number of spot generators serving two buildings next to the microgrid components. This will ultimately save DOD around 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel annually, and over $65,000 per year in fuel, generator leasing, and operations and management costs for just this pilot project.
The second installation successfully implemented a unique 40-kilowatt carport solar power system design. "This shows that a collaboration between solar inverters and diesel generation can be achieved while maintaining stable operations," said Turk. "This system eliminates the need to rely exclusively on diesel and proves that sustainable solutions can serve the same purpose."
A water reclaiming and recycling installation rounded out the three projects and was primarily focused on environmental sustainability. The team installed a system that collects shower water and sends it through a three-phase filtration system, as well as chlorine and ultraviolet sanitation. The filtered water is then used for flushing toilets. This allows the facility to use a portion of its water twice before discarding it, resulting in significant water savings. It also reduces the Central Command area''s environmental impact because most of the water used is trucked in, with a high cost per gallon, both in dollars and carbon emissions.
"INL has been with this project since its inception," said Porter Hill, one of the Kuwait field implementation team members. "Our efforts began with basewide feasibility studies, thinking about different energy options, building efficiencies and power system possibilities that might work for the (Central Command) area."
From the feasibility study, the team was able to lay out several options for program development concepts and field implementations. The INL team initially served as subject matter technical experts and in an advisory role. Then, in early 2022, some of the team members traveled to Kuwait to help conduct the pilot tests for each of the three installations.
"We''ve tried to stay a little more engaged with this project to make sure the team out in Kuwait felt our support and understood our rationale behind major design decisions and best practices for moving forward," said Kurt Myers, another INL manager on the project. "This is truly a first of a kind effort, and it''s been a privilege to be able to shepherd this project through both the challenges and triumphs."
The data collected from these efforts will inform further microgrid research and development activities. It will inform aspects of novel, inverter-based microgrid system controls. It will also help the team adjust its control algorithm approaches and may be used for artificial intelligence applications in microgrid management systems development, including the automation of changes to control settings depending on forecasts, use-cases and time of year.
"The research and development implications of this project are substantial," Myers said. "When we work on projects like this, from base-wide feasibility to pilot scale implementation, we''re able to figure out the bugs and kinks with the design as we go along. Our efforts here will inform future microgrid implementations as we continue pushing toward net-zero solutions worldwide."
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