1. A Hybrid Tactical Power Grid for Forward Operating Bases
CDTS Julian Barker, Austen Davenport, Shabir Kabiri, John Malcolm, Miguel Zepeda
Advised by Dr. Aaron St. Leger and CPT Jeremy Spruce
The Hybrid Tactical Power Grid (HTPG) improves tactical power by integrating dissimilar sources such as
photovoltaic panels and battery hybridization, and by combining automated and user power and load control
to the system. Employing this system provides power supply in a more energy efficient manner as compared
to diesel generator based systems. Prior work has developed a load balancing system to ensure even loading of
generators with PV sources and imbalanced loads. This work expands on this by refining the control
algorithm for load balancing, adding a bi-directional power converter to interface a battery bank for energy
storage/energy supply, and integrating a demand side controller for the environmental control unit (ECU).
Background
Conclusion/Future Work
• Military Operations in deployed environments require large amounts of electrical power
•Communications
•Radars
•Maintenance Facilities
•Soldier Conveniences
•Soldier Housing + Personal Devices
•Burdened cost of diesel fuel and dangers of fuel transportation convoys
•Tactical generators currently operated at only 10-20% loading due to lack of field expertise and
system planning capability
•2009 : 13% of casualties in Iraq due to protecting fuel convoys
•Goal: to design and build a prototype Hybrid Tactical Power Grid (HTPG) to address these issues
Primary Hardware
Intelligent Power Controller (IPC) Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
Netgear Gigabit Switch
•Automated load balancing
•Ability to interface with grid using the Intelligent Power Controller
and network
•Bi-directional converter for battery bank
•Arduino code controls phase PWM phase shift which directly controls the flow of
current
•Black Start Capabilities
•Integration of an environmental control unit (ECU) for soldier housing
•Refine bi-directional converter control to include a “standby” state in
which it is neither charging nor discharging.
•Integration with the test bed, which includes a 3-phase generator and
SIP housing.
•More consistent load balancing, corrections made to black start
capabilities.
Microcontroller/Converter
Hybrid Tactical Power Grid Features
Gate-Driver
Functionality
ECU Controller
LabVIEW GUI
Top Level Block Diagram
Bi-Directional Converter
Design
Load Balancing
Generator Fuel Consumption Data
Example of Improved Fuel Consumption
Fuel Consumption with PV Resources