ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (June 26, 2019) — Army Futures Command, or AFC, has developed an intelligent power and energy architecture that enables the interoperability of multinational power systems during coalition operations.
AFC”s subordinate command, the Combat Capabilities Development Command, integrated a tactical microgrid with Italy and Canada this June during Capable Logistician 2019, a multinational logistics exercise to test interoperability and assess NATO standards at Drawsko Pomorskie Training Grounds, Poland.
The exercise, which included approximately 3,450 troops and representatives from 30 nations, demonstrated several innovative, “smart energy” technologies with the potential to reduce fuel waste, improve operational effectiveness, and enhance interoperability among NATO forces.
The integration was the first example of a multinational tactical microgrid using an open standard for power source hardware and software interoperability. It was one of two “major breakthrough successes” during the exercise, noted Dr. Susanne Michaelis, an Energy Security Officer in NATO”s Emerging Security Challenges Division.