Skip to main content

Electric Microgrid to Bring Fort Hunter Liggett to its Energy Resilience Goal

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. – Fort Hunter Liggett is conducting a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, May 27 at 10 a.m. to build a $21.6 million electrical microgrid, which will enable it to reach its goal of energy resiliency to critical facilities by 2022. This will make it the first Army installation capable of generating and distributing electricity off-grid for at least 14 days throughout the entire cantonment. It is an important first step in scaling this type of energy self-sufficiency throughout the Department of Defense. “Resiliency comes when you can disconnect from the grid and continue to operate mission and/or facilities in the absence of grid power,” said Jarrod Ross, Resource Efficiency Manager for Fort Hunter Liggett. “If we have a public safety power shutoff (to prevent electrical wires sparking wildfires) that’s going to validate why this whole thing is necessary to begin with.” A microgrid is a self-contained electrical distribution system capable of operating in the absence of the utility grid. New solar arrays will be added to the existing ones at the Equipment Concentration Site, and photovoltaics will be included for generation of electricity. Power will be stored in batteries so the electricity generated during the day can be distributed at night. Power will be delivered by medium voltage lines that were buried underground in the cantonment several years ago in anticipation of this resiliency project. It will all be governed by an automated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that can respond in 1/30th of a second to switch microgrid power on or off when needed. Once up and running, the system, designed and installed by Ameresco, Inc., will generate more electricity than FHL can consume over a 12 month period, said Ross. “The Army and DoD calls that Net Zero, so we will have achieved Net Zero,” he said. “During the day when the sun’s out, we will generate more electricity than we use, so we will export it onto the electrical grid.” Because it’s renewable energy, it’s not JUST a 14-day system, said Ross. “The sun makes electricity and we store it. We could go on ad infinitum as long as none of the systems fail.” The start of the microgrid project “is the culmination of more than a decade of projects, development and planning,” said Col. Charles Bell, FHL Garrison Commander. “The idea began here, and was not tasked to us from higher up. It shows how forward-thinking our team is to generate DoD-wide projects at the grassroots level. It is a huge win.” The event will be live-streamed on the FHL Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FortHunterLiggett. For the last 10 years, FHL has been working with partners such as Schweitzer Engineering Labs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Solutions, and others to get to this point. Ameresco, Inc. is a leading cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy. “Working with the team at Fort Hunter Liggett has been an immensely rewarding experience as the improvements implemented at their base set a precedent for future green resiliency enhancements at federal Army bases across the country,” said Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice president of Federal Solutions at Ameresco. “We’re eager to continue building on this success by utilizing the most current energy technologies available and creating a cleaner and sustainable future.” The installation is recognized as a leader in its energy, waste, and water resiliency and sustainability programs, and has won several Army awards. In the past decade, FHL has eliminated the need for fuel oil, reduced energy consumption intensity by 63 percent, severely reduced propane use, and has incorporated ground source heat pumps. This was accomplished by replacing inefficient boilers, furnaces, and lighting, replacing them with modern high-efficiency equipment. Media interested in covering event will: · Read/sign FHL PAO Form 2 to request post access found here: https://home.army.mil/liggett/application/files/8016/0219/6981/FHL_PAO_FORM_2_-_MEDIA_GROUNDRULES.pdf · Have media identification clearly visible at all times · Meet escort at the Visitor Center on May 27 at 9:15 am

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Lake San Antonio Closed Due to Large Scale Fish Die Off; Number of Fish Impacted is Increasing and Reason for Die Off Remains Unknown

July 9, 2024- Out of abundance of caution for public health, County of Monterey Parks is closing the Lake San Antonio facility due to a large-scale fish die off from an unknown cause. On July 5, 2024, Parks staff noticed that dead baitfish, mostly shad, began washing up on the shore around Lake San Antonio and immediately contacted California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to report the situation. At that time, the CDFW fisheries biologist stated the fish die off was most likely due to the high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen level in the water and that the situation most likely did not present a risk to the public. Parks staff also contacted the Water Resources Agency (WRA), State Water Resources Control Board and Environmental Health Bureau.   Unfortunately, the fish die off has continued with larger species such as bass, catfish, crappie, carp, and trout being impacted. Attached photos include a 3–4-pound bass.   CDFW, WRA and EHB are working together to try to determi
Post a Comment
Read more

Suspect Vehicle in King City Quadruple Homicide on March 3 Has Been Located

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, on behalf of the King City Police Department is informing the community that the suspect vehicle involved in a quadruple homicide that occurred Sunday, March 3 on the 200 block of North Second Street in King City, has been located and recovered.  The vehicle was located in an unincorporated area of South Monterey County. The King City Police Department is receiving assistance from multiple local and federal law enforcement partners in this investigation. Based on the nature of this investigation, no further details regarding the recovery of this vehicle are being released at this time.   The Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the King City PD are asking the community for their assistance in reporting any information they may know regarding this incident which tragically left 4 people dead and 7 people injured, two with critical injuries. Information can be provided by contacting the following: King City Detective Sergeant Josh Partida 831-3
Post a Comment
Read more

Attempted Homicide Shooting Incident in King City on September 29

  The King City Police Department received a report of gunshots heard in the area of the 600 block of Sycamore Street at around 1 am on Sunday, September 29. While enroute, the King City PD was advised that 2 victims were transported to Mee Memorial Hospital by private vehicle to be treated for gunshot wounds.   Upon arrival, officers were told that a single unknown suspect opened the gate to a fenced yard and fired 10 rounds into a crowd attending a party. 2 individuals were struck by the gunfire, after-which the suspect fled on foot.  The suspect was described as wearing a dark colored hoodie and pants. The 2 victims are a 16-year-old juvenile male who was shot 3 times and an 18-year-old male who was shot 1 time.  Both victims were transported to Natividad Hospital from Mee Memorial and are currently listed in stable condition. Detectives from the King City Police Department are currently working the investigation with assistance from the Greenfield Police Department Crime Scene Unit
Post a Comment
Read more