Military Microgrids

This open access book provides an accessible, comprehensive introduction to military microgrids - explaining their design, purpose, and strategic importance - to educate allied defense professionals, guide engineers and decision makers, and strengthen energy resilience for critical missions.

This book reflects more than a decade of work by its authors and editors to strengthen the energy security, resilience, reliability, and efficiency of the United States Department of Defense. Its goals are to:

• support the education of students and professionals at US, Five Eyes, NATO, and other allied service academies and graduate institutions by introducing the fundamentals of military microgrids;
• serve as a practical reference for engineers and energy managers working on military installations;
• offer commanders and policy makers a clearer understanding of how electrical energy supports essential missions; and
• share knowledge about the relationship between military and civilian microgrids with the broader academic and practitioner communities.

This book is designed to be accessible to readers with only a general background in electricity, the military, acquisition and procurement, cybersecurity, or other fields relevant to microgrids. Prior coursework not required. The book provides additional reading for those who wish to explore these topics further. Although many resources examine microgrids in depth, this is the first text aimed specifically at making the subject approachable within a military context. Chapter 11 highlights several recent examples of military microgrids and the processes behind their development.

The authors hope this book encourages renewed attention to and investment in military microgrids as a means of enhancing energy resilience. Reliable, robust microgrids that continue to operate under stress can contribute to stability and help reduce the likelihood of conflict.