Securing critical information and communication infrastructures through electric power grid independence

Security against deliberate disruption of critical infrastructure has become an extremely important topic. Government analysis of this problem has shown that the existing energy infrastructure is fatally vulnerable to deliberate disruption, as well as accidents and inadvertent failures. However, these risks can be substantially mitigated with an energy system that costs less, works better and benefits the environment. The key is the efficient use of energy provided by diverse and dispersed distributed energy resources. This paper will describe a novel approach to applying distributed generation in critical information and communication facilities in order to provide primary power on a continuous basis with only a 1% chance of failure over its 20-year lifespan. While this approach uses any distributed power generation technology, it is unique in the way that it combines power sources and distributes the power to multiple loads. Unlike conventional approaches that use alternating current (AC) paralleling equipment to connect generators, this approach aggregates power sources with a direct current (DC) link system.