Boeing [BA] and Siemens Corp., a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG [SI], yesterday said they formed a strategic alliance for the joint development and marketing of smart grid technologies to improve energy access and security for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which is the largest energy consumer in the federal government.
The collaboration centers on providing U.S. military installations with secure microgrid management solutions that lower operational costs and increase energy efficiency.
“This collaboration will make a real difference in how the DoD uses energy,” said Tim Noonan, vice president of Boeing Energy. “For years, Boeing has developed secure, networked systems vital to the nation’s defense, and bringing this capability to the development of energy security and efficiency is vital for the military’s future. Boeing and Siemens’ combined approach will help provide energy independence and critical infrastructure protection to ensure mission success for the U.S. military, at home and abroad.”
The alliance draws on Boeing’s expertise in providing the DoD with complex systems and technologies, and Siemens’ industry-leading global energy management capabilities, the companies said in a statement.
“Siemens is the only company worldwide that provides its customers with energy-efficient technologies that enable ‘smart’ production, transmission and consumption,” said Judy Marks, head of Siemens U.S. Federal Business. “The Siemens and Boeing team has a vision for the United States’ energy future, and we’re committed to helping the DoD achieve unprecedented levels of power reliability, quality, efficiency and energy independence.”
The alliance’s microgrid management solution will be designed to: implement economical energy-efficiency tools that allow for analysis, control and automation of energy processes; use smart energy controls to provide real-time data to manage energy use; and integrate renewable energy sources and storage.
The Siemens and Boeing alliance brings together the capabilities required of a DoD energy modernization provider, including end-to-end engineering and construction; network and smart grid integration; cybersecurity; energy efficiency; energy management and storage; next-generation alternative energy integration; climate monitoring; and service, training and maintenance.