Marshall Land Systems is bringing new solar power systems and smart grid technologies to its containerised infrastructure products, giving armed forces access to highly efficient, cost-effective battle winning enablers that reduce logistical footprints and provide mission flexibility. Of equal importance, they are environmentally sustainable solutions that have a place on operations and exercises alike.
Designed to offer battlespace operational advantage through power independence and redundancy, the solar power system is now available on a standardised Marshall Land Systems 20 foot container, combining a 2.5 kW array with a 200 Ah battery management system. These provide up to 3.5 hours of power for HVAC, lighting and power outlet subsystems on a full charge. The battery system can be turbo-charged from the grid or a generator, contributing to multi spectral camouflage through silent operation when discharging. Perfectly complementing the strengths of Marshall Land Systems’ deployable operational infrastructure, the solar power system is mobile, unobtrusive and can be rapidly operational with straightforward set-up. Its low-profile, low-reflectivity panels are ruggedised, lightweight and proven in military use with the U.S Army.
To further support the warfighter in addition to the new solar power capabilities, Marshall Land Systems is also developing a smart grid system that will optimise the generation, distribution and use of power across multiple containers and subsystems. This accommodates and combines multiple power sources, including grid power, diesel generators, solar arrays and stored battery power. The smart grid will be scalable, using networked control links to balance power across multiple nodes. The system will flexibly offer a choice of control options, ranging from full grid automation to user-defined management of individual containers and subsystems.
Given its system integration expertise, Marshall Land Systems will provide full electrical system design and installation to ensure that the power demanded by the operator is available when required. Any systems provided will, of course, still be fully capable of working in conjunction with traditional diesel power and other microgrids.
“Power independence and redundancy are critical capabilities in the modern military and security environment” said Marshall Land Systems Managing Director Gary Moynehan.
“As we take the operational lessons into our programme of spiral development across our technology roadmap, we are further enhancing the performance and operational capability of our armed forces customers with flexible and scalable energy solutions. These need to combine traditional and new approaches to standalone power generation, as well as management products and comprehensive microgrid applications - all minimising the traditional burden of providing combat power.”