Transmission Expansion For National Defense
Presents concepts for aligning transmission grid investment with national defense to encourage conversation with the electricity industry and the national security enterprise on sustaining and expanding our nation’s transmission system
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.
“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.”
— Wilson Rickerson, Co-Founder and President of Converge Strategies
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.
UNLEASHING THE GRID
Energy Dominance
for National Defense
