The SPIDERS project - Smart Power Infrastructure Demonstration for Energy Reliability and Security at US military facilities

The SPIDERS project (Smart Power Infrastructure Demonstration for Energy Reliability and Security) is a three-year, $40 million, Joint Capabilities Technology Demonstration (JCTD) for the US Department of Defense (DoD) which will demonstrate secure microgrid implementations at three military installations. The SPIDERS microgrids will provide a number of benefits compared to conventional DoD electrical systems, including improved reliability for mission-critical loads, reduced reliance on fuel for diesel power (by using renewable energy sources during outages), increased efficiency of backup generators, reduced operational risk for energy systems through strong cyber security, and flexible electrical energy by building microgrid architectures which can selectively energize loads during extended outages. The three selected sites follow a “crawl, walk, run” progression with respect to microgrid technology, so at Hickam AFB (in Oahu, Hawaii) the SPIDERS microgrid will maintain critical loads along a single feeder, while at Ft. Carson (in Colorado Springs, Colorado) the project will encompass a significant portion of the main cantonment area, and at Camp Smith (also on Oahu, Hawaii and the headquarters of US Pacific Command) the entire facility will be on a SPIDERS microgrid. SPIDERS is funded by both DoD and the US Department of Energy (DOE), leveraging the capabilities and expertise of both agencies.