U.S. Army Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Overview

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In January 2025, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) unveiled the Army’s first fully self-sufficient hydrogen-powered Nanogrid. The Nanogrid is located at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and will demonstrate continuous, unattended power in a remote, off-grid location. 

Challenge

The U.S. Army is interested in sustained, unmanned off-grid power to strengthen warfighter resilience. 

• Transport and logistics of vulnerable fuel supply chains in remote or contested locations
• Unmanned operations to enhance safety in certain locations
• Energy resilience to enhance expeditionary operations
• Flexible operations to be tailored for a variety of military needs
• Noise associated with diesel generators

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To meet these challenges, the U.S. Army needed an energy solution that was mobile with continuous self-generating power, unmanned and quiet operations, easy to set up and durable to withstand extreme weather. 

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Solution: Sesame Solar Mobile Nanogrid

The Sesame Solar Unit is a fully self-generating, solar-powered trailer equipped with:

• Retractable solar arrays, hydrogen and battery storage
• Rapid deployment capability (ready in minutes)
• Atmospheric water generation to generate water for hydrogen, as well as drinking
• Unmanned surveillance
• Durable in extreme weather
• No fuel supply chain required for continuous power
• Flexible interior for medical, base operations, communications, drone refueling, clean water generation and more. 

The U.S. Army’s Nanogrid is showcasing the capability for continuous, unmanned power in a remote, off-grid location. The unit is also partnering with the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) Environmental Division at WSMR  to utilize the camera surveillance for keeping a “silent watch” on nearby wildlife. The Nanogrid will also power a weather station for the Army Research Laboratory’s Atmospheric Intelligence for Hybrid Power Advancements (AIHPA) team, which conducts atmospheric and energy research on the base. 

Use Cases

1. Energy Resilience for Off-Grid, Remote Locations

• Solar + hydrogen + battery storage provides a closed-loop of reliable, independent power for weeks of autonomous off-grid operations
• Eliminates vulnerabilities tied to fuel convoys and contested supply chains.

2. Unmanned Surveillance

• Unmanned systems sustainment with mobile, self-generating power with fully integrated surveillance and perimeter security solutions.
• Power critical communications, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. 
• Sensors, radar and security. 

3. Quiet Operations

• Silent operations reduce acoustic and thermal detection compared to fuel generators. 

Results & Impact

• Enhanced Energy Resilience: The Nanogrid has continued to run without the need for support. 
• Operational Flexibility: The Nanogrid can be configured for a variety of military needs including operational bases, unmanned surveillance, clean water, drone refueling and more. 
• Mission Ready: Nanogrids can be set up by one person in under 15 minutes and immediately operational without reliance on fuel logistics. 
• Durability: The Nanogrid has been able to maintain operation during the extreme weather at WSMR. 

Looking Ahead

The Army is planning to deploy a second hydrogen-fueled Nanogrid in 2025 in Missouri at Fort Leonard Wood. This demonstration will focus on the system’s mobility capabilities and feature an electric vehicle charging port. 

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