GE’s smart grid know-how is going to boot camp at the world’s largest Marine Corps Base. In a new demonstration project at the Twentynine Palms Base in California, GE will design and demonstrate a smart energy management system — called a “smart microgrid” — that will handle on-site power generation and energy storage, while simultaneously interacting with the local electrical grid in a more intelligent and efficient way.


Heavy artillery: To develop this new system, researchers at GE Global Research in Upstate New York will develop and incorporate advanced algorithms and computational decision engines into a microgrid controller, seen above, which is built by GE Digital Energy. The controller optimizes power generation and distribution within the microgrid.

As the blog earth2tech notes in its story today, microgrids “are of particular interest to the military. Military bases are largely in remote locations and have to be prepared for events that could potentially separate them from the greater power grid.” And, the blog continues, “Microgrids are interesting because they can offer a testbed for emerging technologies like various forms of energy storage and grid-connected renewable energy sources.”

U.S. military bases typically manage power in two ways: local power is generated on site for critical needs; and, the bases are connected to the larger electrical grid. Part of the project, which is funded by a Department of Defense stimulus award, will involve enhancing the ability of military installations to integrate renewable resources, such as solar energy, to help reduce their carbon footprints.

According to the 2009 Defense Appropriations Act, U.S. military installations consumed 3.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity last year, enough electricity to power 350,000 homes.

“This project will serve as a model for other bases and it also will demonstrate how similar types of facilities, such as industrial complexes and universities, can take advantage of a smarter grid,” said John Kern, Manager of GE’s Smart Grid Research Lab.

* Read the announcement
* Hear about the smart grid straight from our scientists on their blog
* Read about our smart grid work in NY and NJ
* Plug into the smart grid
* Read GE Reports’ story about smart grid legislation
* Learn about GE’s smart grid efforts in Florida, Oklahoma and Houston
* Read about our research with the Dept. of Energy