New Concepts to Align Transmission Expansion For National Defense
Released by The Association of Defense Communities and Converge Strategies, LLC
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) and Converge Strategies, LLC (CSL) released a new publication, “Transmission Expansion For National Defense (TREND),” at the 2024 Defense Communities National Summit. This publication will support conversations, innovation, and opportunities to enhance the U.S. transmission system’s national defense capabilities.
“Transmission Expansion For National Defense (TREND)” presents concepts for aligning transmission grid investment with national defense, encouraging conversation between the electricity industry and the national security enterprise on expanding our nation’s transmission system.
TREND offers next steps and guidance for utility planners to engage military installations and their surrounding communities on power reliability challenges.
The Big Picture
Without rapid and persistent action at the national and regional scales, vulnerabilities to the critical infrastructure systems that support our most crucial needs will soon outpace our ability to address them.
Why It Matters
The conversation between national defense and electricity industry stakeholders remains nascent, particularly as it relates to the transmission system. TREND outlines several near-term mechanisms for aligning transmission grid investment with national defense.
Specific recommendations include: rapidly increasing the grid’s size and flexibility, prioritizing specific upgrades to support defense missions, and equipping the Department of Defense (DoD) to engage more directly with grid planning. Get started by reviewing the guidance for utility planners to engage military installations and their surrounding communities on power reliability challenges.
Our Appreciation
Thank you to the more than 60 experts from across the electricity industry and the national security enterprise for your cooperation and contributions to the concepts in TREND.
