Energy Systems Analyses for Ultralow Energy Communities

Abstract

In an increasingly energy constrained world, the Army and its logistic support envisions a future where its energy needs are designed and fulfilled by an elegant suite of ultra low energy solution options that can be tailored for adaptation at any Army installation or forward deployed base (FOB). Presently there is no overarching power delivery-energy storage-demand architecture and methodology to accomplish this. The Army’s present and future energy requirements are a mix of ultra-low and high energy intensity command and control facilities. Garrison Commanders must also have the capability to continuously adjust their ultra low energy suite in real time, by the tailoring and optimization of energy usage to accomplish strategic mission, security, and environmental goals. To address these issues requires the development of a properly designed and executed suite of ultra low energy systems that would enable adaptable, modular, scalable building-block power and thermal energy architecture so as to accommodate a full spectrum of local mission needs, from a few clustered facilities, an installation subsection, a full installation or deployed base. Accommodating this variability in an ultra-low energy environment will require a seamless blend of building automation, utility management and control systems, and power delivery systems with the capability to offer integration of onsite power, energy storage, and energy conservation. The controlling features embodied in the integrated suite of tools, systems analyses and methodologies, must not only optimize design but also day-to-day and hour-by-hour operation. What is envisioned is developing a prototype master plan for an ultra low energy community system that has been field tested at several specific Army campuses. A workshop of leading energy scientists and engineers has been convened to define the technology required to implement this vision. This paper presents the clarified summaries of their collective deliberations, and defines a way forward for a research program capable of achieving ultra low energy applications, for installations to deployed bases.