Badger Technology Group and the UW-Milwaukee College of Engineering & Applied Science have received a contract from the United States Air Force Research Lab to produce, integrate and test a hybrid energy storage system at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.
This project supports the Department of Defense’s focus on energy resiliency through the increased use of renewable energy. The Badger Technology system is an intelligent, large scale storage system to optimize input, storage and output of renewable and traditional energy to support modern electrical microgrids. Badger Technology Group will optimize its energy storage system for use at the U.S. Air Force facility.
Badger Technology is supported in this program by the UWM College of Engineering & Applied Science Energy Advancement Center and the Center for Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems. The Energy Advancement Center focuses on fundamental electrochemical research, seeking new materials and understanding reaction mechanisms in the areas of renewable energy, sensors and water treatment.
The Center for Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems focuses on exploring methods to make electric power systems more sustainable, cost-effective and secure through research on energy storage, microgrid systems and renewable energy sources. UWM’s faculty researchers will be performing microgrid tests of the system.
“This advanced smart storage system will support the Air Force’s energy plan that has a goal of the Air Force being a cutting-edge leader in the areas of renewable energy and sustainability, and we welcome the opportunity to be a part of that initiative,” said Dan Wade, president of Badger Technology Group. “This will also foster the growing commercial applications of this technology as the US and the world work to modernize the electrical grid.”
Andrew Graettinger, associate dean for research at UWM’s College of Engineering & Applied Science, added: “Our faculty are experts in tomorrow’s clean energy technologies, especially including storage, power and controls for stationary and mobile applications. We look forward to the collaboration and this partnership.”
“Wisconsin has a long, proud history of innovation and support for our armed forces, and this partnership with Badger Technology Group and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will allow us to continue this tradition,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin said. “I supported this project because it will support the work we are doing to help provide more resilient and cost effective renewable power. Wisconsin is proud that the United States Air Force recognizes our leadership advancing innovative research and technology for renewable energy.”
