White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico has successfully finished a $10.9 million microgrid project aimed at ensuring water resiliency and energy independence for the installation.
The project was developed by Ameresco, Inc., a company specializing in renewable energy and efficiency solutions, and constructed by HSGS-Ameresco, LLC, a joint venture focused on energy generation and smart grid technologies.
Enhancing Energy Security with a Hybrid Power System
The newly completed microgrid system integrates three energy sources to provide backup power to four groundwater wells at WSMR:
- A 700-kW solar photovoltaic array, capturing renewable energy from the sun
- A 500-kW natural gas generator, ensuring continuous power when solar energy is unavailable
- A 500-kW lithium-ion battery system, storing excess energy for use during peak demand or outages
An advanced microgrid controller manages these components, balancing energy generation and distribution to maintain a steady and reliable power supply.
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Meeting the U.S. Army’s Energy Independence Standards
WSMR’s microgrid project aligns with the U.S. Army’s requirement for military installations to sustain water and power operations for at least 14 days without relying on external sources.
Craig Collins, WSMR Installation Energy Manager, emphasized the project’s impact on operational security, stating:
“With this microgrid, we no longer have to worry about power outages affecting our water supply. Even in the event of a disruption, we can continue pumping water without interruption.”
By combining solar energy, battery storage, and a reliable backup generator, the microgrid enhances WSMR’s resilience against power failures, extreme weather events, and grid instability. This investment represents a critical step in ensuring the base’s self-sufficiency and readiness for future challenges .
