Plan Your Backup Power Like a Green Beret

The United States Military is divided into the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Space Force. Army Special Forces, also known as Green Berets, serve as America’s foremost experts on unconventional warfare and foreign internal defense.

 Communications in Cold Snow Environment
12-man Special Forces teams often operate in austere, remote locations, requiring the team to be highly independent. Adapting the Special Forces planning guidelines to power generation can ensure a similar level of energy dependability.

Army Special Forces often talk about the core competencies of shoot, move, and communicate as keys to mission success. Of these, communications within the team and with outside assets, such as aircraft, headquarters, or other teams is critical.
 
Special Forces teams develop redundancy into their combinations plan to ensure that even when systems fail, they are still able to make contact. Green Berets use the PACE, which represents Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency, as a framework for ensuring continuity of communications under all circumstances.
 
The PACE framework is designed to start with the highest quality, communications tool and move down to less secure or harder to use systems. The Primary and Alternate means fulfill all or most of the team’s communications needs, while Contingency and Emergency only accomplish some of the requirements.
 
This might mean sacrificing security (encryption) or the ability to transmit data. The whole team understands the “PACE” plan and rigorously tests these systems before going on a mission or training event.
 
Sample PACE Communications Plan:
P (Primary) – SATCOM Voice
A (Alternate) – SATCOM data
C (Contingency) – civilian satellite phone
E (Emergency) – local cell phone

Prudent businesses and homeowners can use a similar PACE approach to planning redundant power to the most important systems operating. To start this process, the planner needs to understand which systems are most critical to continued operation and begin to develop options to keep these powered if the primary power source (the power grid) fails.
  Advanced Communications in Cold Snow Environment

As in the communications PACE plan, the lower letters don’t provide the same level of capability as the higher ones do. For example, utility power provides electricity to all home system but a homeowner might chose to only power critical systems (e.g., refrigerator, A/C, garage doors) with a standby generator. Continuing the progression, they might have battery backups (either portable or permanently installed) for even fewer systems.

Sample PACE Power Plan:
P (Primary) – utility power
A (Alternate) – standby generator
C (Contingency) – battery backup (UPS for computers, lithium-ion battery for cell phone)
E (Emergency) – charge equipment off DC power (or inverter) in vehicle

While most homeowners and business operators have clear plans for the top and bottom parts of the PACE power plan, many need to conduct an honest assessment of capabilities for the middle letters (Alternate and Contingency).

Adding a standby generator to power key circuits can fill an important gap in your PACE plan, minimizing disruption to operations or lifestyle.

As they say in Special Forces: “failing to plan is planning to fail.” So develop your power plan before there is an issue!

Story Summary

What is a PACE power plan?
A PACE power plan is a redundant backup power strategy modeled after the communications planning used by U.S. Army Special Forces. PACE stands for:

• Primary: Main power source (usually the electrical grid)
• Alternate: First backup option (e.g. standby generator)
• Contingency: Secondary backup (e.g. battery systems)
• Emergency: Last resort option (e.g. vehicle power inverter)

The goal is to ensure continuity of power for critical systems even if multiple sources fail.

Why use a PACE approach for backup power?
Using a PACE framework for backup power planning provides several benefits:

• Creates multiple layers of redundancy
• Ensures options for various scenarios and outage durations
• Prioritizes powering the most critical systems
• Provides a clear plan that all household/team members understand
• Allows for regular testing and maintenance of backup systems

What should I consider when creating a PACE power plan?
Key factors to consider include:

• Identifying your most critical power needs
• Typical outage scenarios in your area
• Budget for backup power systems
• Fuel availability for generators
• Battery capacity needs
• Ease of use for family members
• Maintenance requirements

How do I determine what systems are most critical?
Evaluate which electrical systems are essential for safety, security, and basic functioning. Common critical systems include:

• Refrigeration for food and medicine
• Heating/cooling
• Well pumps for water
• Medical devices
• Security systems
• Communication devices
• Sump pumps
• Prioritize these systems when planning your backup power options.

What are some example PACE power plans?
A basic residential PACE plan might look like:

• Primary: Utility grid power
• Alternate: Standby generator
• Contingency: Portable battery power station
• Emergency: Car battery with power inverter

How often should I test my PACE power systems?
Test your backup power systems regularly:
Standby generators: Monthly test runs
Portable generators: Quarterly test and fuel cycling
Battery systems: Biannual capacity tests
Emergency options: Annual equipment checks
Adjust the schedule based on manufacturer recommendations and local conditions.
 

Diesel Blog Team | 3/23/2020 1:17:21 PM | 0 comments