Contract Awarded for Microgrid Powered Military Vehicles

REV's all-electric SUV (BusinessWire)

Rapid Electric Vehicles (REV) of Vancouver, Canada received a contract from the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center for four trucks, powered only by electricity, and designed to work with a microgrid, a localized electrical power grid.  The four vehicles will help test a microgrid at Wheeler Air Force Base in Hawaii.

The trucks are electric bi-directional charging vehicles based on Ford Escape SUV (pictured right) and Ford F150 pickup platforms, with propulsion, power management and mobile communication technologies developed by REV. They are propelled by 125 kW permanent magnet AC motor and gearbox drive systems. The bi-directional power capabilities enable the vehicles to generate backup power, replacing fossil-fuel generators in the event of damaged transformers, broken power lines, or large spikes in demand.

To improve energy security and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, the Department of Defense is testing a microgrid, including its ability to reliably charge electrical vehicles, and receive inputs from external power sources. The test also involves power management. REV says the control systems on its vehicles can be remotely notified to respond in real-time and store intermittent sources of energy such as solar or wind power.

REV is serving as a subcontractor to the prime contractor, Honewell Aerospace. The contract also calls for REV to provide third-party charging stations and stationary energy storage devices.