New Release: Concepts to Align Transmission Expansion For National Defense (TREND)
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.
“The evolving nature of conflict, the changing climate, and dramatic shifts in the energy industry will require new partnerships, ideas, and modes of cooperation around national defense and the transmission system.”
Accelerating Transmission Expansion. The U.S. electric power grid is a cornerstone of our national defense and should be viewed as an extension of Department of Defense (DoD) missions and weapons platforms. The resilience of our electric power grid is integral to the success of our military’s missions.
Strengthening the Grid for Critical Defense Facilities. Military installations are closely connected to and affected by their surrounding communities. The resilience of the electric power grid for defense communities is vital for DoD’s mission assurance.
Empowering DoD as a Transmission Proponent. There is an opportunity to equip the DoD with the authority and capability to engage in grid planning. Utilities and grid operators require clear input and engagement from DoD about its energy resilience requirements to support national defense.
“Through TREND, we worked with the national security enterprise and the electricity industry to identify concepts that could address shared challenges and opportunities.
Working effectively together begins with recognizing our grid as an extension of our defense weapons systems and platforms, making the grid mission-essential.”
About Converge Strategies, LLC
Converge Strategies, LLC provides consulting services focused on the intersection of clean energy, resilience, and national security. Our mission is to integrate resilience and security as first principles in the clean energy transformation. www.convergestrategies.com
Media Contact
Adair Douglas
Converge Strategies
adouglas@convergestrategies.com
About the Association of Defense Communities (ADC)
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) builds resilient communities that support America’s military. With nearly 300 communities, states, regions and affiliated industry organizations, ADC represents every major defense community/state in the nation. www.defensecommunities.org
Media Contact
Grace Marvin
Association of Defense Communities