Secure Automated Microgrid Energy System
EW-201340
Objective
A microgrid is a physical or virtual combination of energy loads and generation which can be disconnected from the local utility electric grid. Single microgrids have reduced cost and improved reliability in many commercial applications. However, the benefits of their aggregation into cyber-secure microgrid “clusters” have not yet been proven. The clustering technology and approach offers potential to improve energy security, reduce costs, and fully integrate renewable energy sources into base electrical infrastructures world-wide.
The Secure Automated Microgrid Energy System (SAMES) will operate a cluster of naval microgrids to maximize energy security and efficiency at the lowest possible operating cost. In this project, the monitoring and control of the microgrids at California’s Naval Bases San Diego (NBSD), Coronado (NBC), and Point Loma (NBPL) will be combined in a single enterprise system at the NBSD Utility and Energy Operations Center.
Technology Description
SAMES is a tightly integrated architecture of software and hardware attached to power generation and load on a cyber-secure backbone. The four key technology elements are: 1) a unique power network management and modeling platform, 2) an energy optimization platform, 3) a scalable time series data management system, and 4) a cyber-secure architecture in which cyber is designed in, not added on. Elements of this technology have been implemented and demonstrated at the University of California at San Diego, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Aviation Administration, and for several commercial customers with requirements for a highly reliable electrical infrastructure. This will be the first simultaneous implementation of all the elements in a secure military microgrid cluster.
SAMES will optimize the distributed generation, storage, and buying and selling of power across the three bases by operating the microgrids as a cluster. This demonstrates how the military can use clustered microgrids to manage their energy use, maximize the value of their renewable energy sources, and participate in the lucrative energy markets without compromising their mission readiness. Success will be measured in increased electrical system reliability, reduced overall energy cost, optimized use of renewable energy sources, and increased situational awareness of the real-time state of the power system at each individual base and in the aggregate. These factors lead to improved overall power system performance.
Benefits
The cluster demonstrates the vision of the Navy’s Smart Power Partnership Initiative (SPPI) to share and optimize power resources across military installations. It directly supports the SPPI goal to create a pilot regional microgrid in the San Diego area. The sophisticated real time power modeling and optimization in a cyber-secure architecture will be implemented with minimal impact on base operations, but with benefit in increased reliability and reduced cost. The system is designed to be easily scalable, to use the existing naval base electrical infrastructure, and to completely integrate renewable energy sources wherever they are available. The payback period for SAMES is expected to be less than two years and there will be a simultaneous increase in base power reliability and energy security. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2015)
Points of Contact
Principal Investigator
Mr. Kevin Meagher
Power Analytics
Phone: 919-349-3151
Fax: 919-848-5256
Document Types
- Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
- Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
- Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
- Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
- Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
- Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
- Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
- Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
- Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.