Energy story provider Redflow Ltd. has signed a $2.83 million contract with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to deliver a prototype microgrid. The project will deploy a 1.2 to 1.4 MWh Redflow long duration energy storage (LDES) system.
Redflow will partner with cleantech integrator Ameresco Inc. for its subcontracted engineering to deliver the microgrid project. Aiming to extend the duration of energy storage for existing installations, the project will repower a solar-powered microgrid currently located at the Stewart Air National Guard Base in New York state.
“We have been working with the Defense Innovation Unit for the past year to support their energy resilience objectives across the military’s global operations,” said Tim Harris, CEO and managing director of Redflow. “To be selected as the solution provider is validation that Redflow’s LDES solutions hold the potential to deliver significant benefits to U.S. Department of Defense installations worldwide.”
The repowered microgrid project scope will integrate Redflow’s aforementioned 1.2 – 1.4 MWh LDES solution, enabling the microgrid to provide a dispatchable solar + storage resource for peak shaving and energy resilience.
Redflow’s solution will demonstrate scalable flow batteries at MWh scale and restore microgrid-controllable renewables at a military industrial scale for integration for the Air Force base, with the objective of delivering a stronger base of power for improved returns on existing investments to enhance resilience.
This project comes from Redflow’s selection for participation in DIU’s Extended Duration Storage for Installations program. The program is designed to match innovative LDES technologies to projects that demonstrate additional technological capability by providing energy resilience and power backup across the DOD’s 450+ global bases.
“This groundbreaking microgrid project at Stewart Air National Guard Base exemplifies the deployment of innovative technologies to deliver resilient, sustainable solutions at U.S. military installations,” said Nicole Bulgarino, executive VP at Ameresco. “Together with Redflow, we’re energized to witness how this microgrid will bolster base resilience and set new standards for clean energy advancement, inspiring a green and resilient future for U.S. Department of Defense installations worldwide.”
The Department of Air Force aims to use the repowered Stewart Air National Guard Base solar energy microgrid with energy storage to provide resilience for critical loads on the base. The microgrid will also provide a dispatchable solar + storage resource that is capable of peak shaving and supports the state of New York’s clean energy goals. If successful, the solution could be rolled out across numerous U.S. Department of Defense facilities and critical infrastructure around the world.
Deployment and commissioning of this system is planned for the second half of 2024.
Tags: Ameresco, Department of Defense, Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES), Redflow
