The Defense Department's Northern and Pacific commands have released a few more details about their effort to build a defensible smart microgrid capable of operating on its own for an extended period of time.

To that end, the DoD is preparing a joint capabilities technology demonstration dubbed "Smart Power Infrastructure Demonstration for Energy Reliability and Security" (SPIDERS), according to an August 19 request for information. Northern and Pacific commands represent DoD interests in a smart grid partnership that will include the departments of Homeland Security and Energy and the private sector, the RFI states.

Since then, the commands have clarified through written responses to questions that they want microgrids built in three locations, starting with a circuit level demo at Pearl Harbor-Hickam joint base in Hawaii, then a secure microgrid at Ft, Carson, Colo. and concluding with an installation smart grid at Camp Smith, Hawaii.

The baseline power on the grid will vary from 1.5 megawatts to 10 MW, depending on the site.

In addition, Sandia National Lab is preparing a conceptual design of the microgrids at Ft. Carson and Camp Smith. But, that report won't be available until after the deadline for responses to the RFI, which is Sept. 10. The Defense Department excepts the SPIDERS JCTD to last three years.

For more:
- go to the SPIDERS JCTD FBO page, or download directly the RFI questions and answers (.docx)

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