Avoided Cost Comparison Levelized Cost of Energy ($/MWh)

eplicate this capability for all of their bases in the
restive Helmand province. 96
Meanwhile, a new Rucksack Enhanced Portable
Power System (REPPS) developed for the army
includes a rollable solar charging mat as well as
rechargeable batteries and fuel-cell chargers for
powering radios, laptops and other devices. Currently
weighing approximately nine pounds, future
iterations promise substantial weight savings.
Recently, 725 of these systems were delivered to
troops in Afghanistan. 97
3.3 Summary
For both civilian and military dimensions, a decentralization
of electricity infrastructure can allow
for a more secure and reliable generation of
electricity primarily by reducing the reliance on
traditional centralized generation facilities. On
the civilian side, increasing the penetration of
DPS means that consumers are less vulnerable
96 “From Barracks to Battlefield: Clean Energy Innovation and America’s Armed Forces,” The Pew Project on National Security, Energy and
Climate, September 21, 2011. (http://www.pewenvironment.org/news-room/reports/from-barracks-to-battlefield-clean-energy-innovationand-americas-armed-forces-85899364060)
97 “Solar Power Sources: Rucksack Enhanced Portable Power System,” U.S. Army RDECOM, CERDEC Army Power Division. (http://www.
cerdec.army.mil/directorates/docs/c2d/REPPS_Fact_Sheet.pdf) and Tony Bui, “New Army Battery Recharging Kits Run on Renewable
Energy,” Armed with Science, August 24, 2010. (http://science.dodlive.mil/2010/08/24/new-army-battery-recharging-kits-run-on-renewableenergy/)
aSSESSIng THE ROlE OF dISTRIBuTEd POwER SySTEmS In THE u.S. POwER SECTOR
34
to a generation shortage. Such shortages can occur
due to technical issues such as grid failures
or capacity shortfalls, or because of deliberate attacks—either
physical or cyber-related attacks—
on the power grid. On the defense side, DOD has
expressed keen interest in using DPS to increase
energy security both domestically and on the battlefield.
Domestically, it has shown concern that
its reliance on centralized electricity infrastructure
leaves many of its critical units and buildings
vulnerable to electricity outages, similar to
those experienced by the civilian population. By
reducing its dependence on centralized electricity
generation, DOD will then be less exposed to
power cuts and, in particular, sabotage of electricity
generation. On the battlefield, DPS enables the
military to limit its reliance on diesel generation,
which is vulnerable to supply disruptions (some
of which can be fatal) and on unwieldy and inefficient
battery packs, which are heavy and encumber
the operation of U.S. ground forces.