The electric grid is undergoing significant stress from exponential load growth driven by new technologies and extreme weather events which are causing more grid outages and reliability concerns. Threats to the electrical grid are particularly significant for Department of War (DoW), which depends on power for mission preparedness and security. Bulk-power system complexity and data access challenges make it difficult for installations to gain a detailed understanding of regional reliability risks and realistic utility-side solutions.  

By leveraging utility data compiled by the Federal Regulatory Commission on the reliability and integrity of the nation’s rapidly evolving electric grid, this project aims to: (1) provide the DoW with high quality data for the Measuring Resilience Process (MRP) tool to better identify onsite energy resilience solutions and (2) help DoW identify inside and outside-the-fenceline solutions it can pursue in partnership with local utilities to cost-effectively strengthen the nation’s electric grid and energy resilience at various installations.

By using the innovative Regional Energy Assessment (REA) process, the Services for the first time will be able to analyze grid reliability issues previously identified by utilities and transmission owners so the Services can develop onsite and coordinate offsite mitigations with the utilities to strengthen installation energy resilience. Each REA will leverage datasets used by the utilities for their own grid reliability planning purposes to calculate the reliability of the electricity transmitted to an installation’s transmission interconnection point with the bulk-power system and evaluate how region-specific reliability risks and load growth forecasts may influence the stability of installation power. The REA will then identify potential energy infrastructure upgrades and project concepts, both onsite and offsite, that may mitigate those reliability risks. The REA will enhance the MRP by replacing the current generalized, statistical datasets for electric power availability at the point of interconnection with actual, utility-provided reliability performance data. To demonstrate the REA process, the Air Force, Army, and Navy will test this tool at target installations selected by each Service and collaborate with one another on regional grid analyses and potential energy resilience project concepts to achieve installation resiliency objectives.

The Services will jointly demonstrate how a quantitative assessment of utility reliability data can strengthen installation energy resilience. Benefits of this demonstration include:  

• A joint Service solution that aligns their shared regional energy security interests.  
• The ability to proactively initiate utility partnerships.
• A useful, repeatable, and technically sound basis for strategic investments and risk management approaches. 
• Significant cost avoidance through a standardized, collaborative approach versus individual approaches. 

(Anticipated Project Completion - 2026)