Energy Systems

Working closely with the departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Energy, we design energy solutions for the military and help bolster the U.S. energy infrastructure's resilience against natural and man-made threats. Our power system and controls engineers use real-time, regional, and interdependent simulations of energy infrastructure to protect power grids against large-scale outages. We design microgrids that can disconnect from the utility grid to serve communities during disasters while minimizing fuel use. Our systems analysts identify improved architectures for energy systems at defense sites, and our cybersecurity experts develop the foundation for secure control systems for industrial processes. Our staff serve as technical advisors to Department of Defense agencies, guiding investments in energy research and addressing the technical gaps in defense energy systems. We work with MIT and other universities to apply their basic energy research to energy challenges faced by the military, such as extending the range of unmanned vehicles.