HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A simple idea pushed forward by an Air Force Sustainment Center Airman could end up making the power supply downrange more reliable, saving the Air Force money and leading to a more integrated joint environment.
Those three factors helped land Tech. Sgt. Anthony Bennett’s idea a finalist spot in the Air Force’s Spark Tank competition, where entrants compete for possible funding and idea implementation. Of the 441 ideas submitted, his was one of six to make the cut. Bennett is a 635th Materiel Maintenance Squadron Airman at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., part of the group responsible for the deployment, setup, operations, maintenance and teardown of Basic Expeditionary Airfield Resources.
His idea is to incorporate Advanced Tactical Microgrids into the power supply system when establishing shelter setups in a contingency location. Right now, Bennett said, the power supply system is set up in a series so if one generator fails, all the power supply units stop working, “almost like the old Christmas lights.” That typically means power loss to four shelters.
“There is zero redundancy,” Bennett said, “In the event a line is compromised, the entire system must go down for the repairs to happen.” Considering these shelters are used in support of contingencies, natural disaster response, humanitarian support, exercises and other leadership-directed efforts, any power loss is a detriment to the mission.
“With the micro-grid, you’re allowed to essentially tie in multiple generators through the micro-grid panel itself, which replaces the traditional panels we use now,” Bennett said.
The cost savings of the new approach come in fuel costs. Bennett said he expects at least a 30 percent decrease in fuel costs because the microgrid allows the systems to come online and offline as power demand increases or decreases, so not all generators will be running all the time. It will also reduce wear and tear on the units and extend the preventative maintenance schedule.
Being selected as a finalist for Spark Tank has proved to Bennett that any idea is worth putting out there even if it takes a while to come to fruition.
“It actually still kind of gives me goosebumps just to even think about it,” Bennett said. “It’s just really awesome to know that this is important to me and our career field, and people outside of our career field have noticed that this is a capability we’re missing out on.”
Bennett credits Master Sgt. Brady Timme, a former coworker with first suggesting the idea. “He started briefing this back in 2023,” Bennett said, “and then Master Sgt. Timme PCSed, so I took it on.”
The opportunity to more easily integrate capabilities with other services is another benefit to adopting the micro-grid use. Bennett believes the Army is using them already.
“If we’re in an expeditionary scenario in Pacific Air Forces, it just eases my mind that we’re using capabilities and equipment that the Army is used to, and we’re familiar with that stuff, too. It just brings that integrated capability.”
The project creates a lighter, leaner and more efficient electrical power grid for austere locations, consistent with the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment scheme of maneuver, according to Lt. Col. Trevyn Guglielmo, 635th MMS commander. “This project aligns perfectly with the strategic goal of modernization within the War Reserve Materiel enterprise,” he said.
The next step in the Spark Tank competition is working with the AFWERX Refinery team to help forge strategic partnerships, find the right stakeholders and fine-tune to the right customers. Finals are projected to be held in September, but Bennett’s goal goes beyond winning Spark Tank.
“Seeing it used operationally would be incredibly rewarding - the ultimate validation.”