At least someone is upgrading infrastructure

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I’ve written about our infrastructure failures.  In particular, how we have not upgraded our electrical transmission systems to preclude hacking or terrorist attacks.   There have been attacks (for example in California) that took the power station off line for a month.  That attack destroyed some 17 transformers and left parts of Silicon Valley in the dark.

The US system relies on remote power generation and large transformers transporting electricity long distances.  And, these devices are basically sitting ducks.  Because the lines can be cut, they can be blown up- and that means no power.  (Natural disasters- like a big storm- can do the same thing, by the way .)

And, I’ve also written how the military is developing its own power systems- because they end up in places where a power system doesn’t exist (the battlefield, of course).  But, just as importantly, they do so because they know that America is abandoning its responsibilities to maintain its infrastructure.

So, they are building their own systems.  Solar panels.  Battery power.  Diesel generators.  Small power plants.  One of the more advanced networks is at the Marine base in the Mojave Desert in California (the 29 Palms base).  They even cool water, which can be used to keep the temperature in their buildings more hospitable in the desert climate.  (This is from their new 8 MegaWatt cogeneration system.)

http://www.delawie.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/CD_P129Central_slider1.jpg

Oh, the base still buys power from SoCal Edison, but their power network will cut in should there be a blackout or a terrorist attack.  Because they need to have operations proceed to protect the US citizens in just such situations.    (The plan is to have 80-90% of the normal electricity generated by and under control of the base.   Which means if the outside grid is down, they will just have to trim their needs to keep the base fully operational.)

Fort Bragg, which houses the 82nd Airborne and Special Ops in North Carolina is also adjusting its power systems.  First of it, it is finding ways to cut its power use.  Instead of using electricity to dry parachutes, they are now being dried by solar heat (kind of a solar wall that courses heat up a silo to dry the ‘chutes).  And, like 29 Palms, they are constructing their own microgrid for power transmission.

Or, Nellis Air Force base (Las Vegas) that is currently obtaining a good portion of its power from photovoltaic panels.  To the tune of 25% of base needs.  Oh, and this is currently saving the Air Force a million bucks a year.  (The plan is to double the number of panels and further reduce reliance on outside power systems.)

Now, why are we not building smart grids for the citizenry?

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