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Two companies have teamed up to develop field deployable microgrid power for the Australian Defence Force under funding from the Defence Innovation Hub.
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XKG and Optimal Group Australia have come together to develop a new deployable power distribution and generation solution that will deliver a microgrid solution with microturbine power generation technology, enhanced by battery storage and renewable energy sources. XKG and Optimal Group said the system will be based on a plug and play architecture with a sophisticated energy management system.
Managing director of XKG Dominik Kul said the solution will offer reliable power at a low cost.
"With the ADF’s ongoing commitment to operational tasking around the globe, Defence is always looking to find an edge," said Kul.
"XKG is proud to have responded to Defence’s call for innovation for deployed power solutions by partnering with Optimal Group in this innovation project, which will provide Defence with further options beyond the 20th century solutions currently available. It will provide reliable, scalable, efficient and secure field power with a low total cost of ownership."
Optimal Group chief executive Craig Dugan said the modular system will be well suited for small deployments.
"Our Defence microgrid will provide substantial benefits to Defence for deployed power," said Dugan.
"Being modular, the system will be able to be scaled for small field deployments up to large scale bases. Using the Capstone Microturbine and battery storage hybrid, we will provide Defence with the ability to run in silent mode while continuing to draw full power."
The project involves developing a microgrid solution to support Defence’s Deployed Force Infrastructure energy requirements.
XKG and Optimal Group said the components of the system are designed to be dispersed through a base on a ring main system such that any one element can be removed from the system without affecting the broader system’s operation.
"The redundancy built into our system will provide Defence with power security far exceeding their existing systems," said Dugan.
