**3. Results**

#### *3.1. Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES) Design*

The SHES is designed to work in stand-alone mode or connected to the local grid. The SHES combines into a single, integrated system of the following technologies: (a) photovoltaic (PV) array, (b) an energy storage system, (c) existing diesel generators, (d) waste-to-heat energy recovery system (WHRU) for space heating, (e) solar hot water (SHW) system for domestic hot water, and (f) energy managemen<sup>t</sup> system (EMS) that actively monitors and manages base camp equipment and zones.

Figure 4 shows the SHES schematic configuration of the energy vectors, while Figure 5 shows the detailed HVAC system and power generation scheme of the SHES.


**Figure 4.** Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES) schematic configuration of the energy vectors.

**Figure 5.** Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES): detailed HVAC system and power generation scheme.

In particular, the SHES system was composed of the following components:


of counter-flow heat exchangers and water-distribution systems, delivering hot water to terminal heating equipment. The terminal heating equipment was modeled as fan–coil units.


The selection of equipment from a range of commercial products was made based on 20 ft container space (Table 3) in addition to sizing calculations (Table 4) to optimize the annual energy production.


**Table 3.** Key components dimensions of the Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES).

*\** ISO 6346 [22]: 20 ft container: length = 20 ft (6096 mm); width = 8 ft (2438 mm); height = 8 ft 6" (2590 mm).


**Table 4.** Components of the Smart Hybrid Energy System (SHES) for a 150-person relocatable temporary camp (RTC) in Brandon, MB.

The system is adaptable to di fferent installation and climates, and it was designed such that some existing equipment could be incorporated into the system, thus reducing investment costs for the Army. At the same time, individual components could be integrated without being tied to one manufacturer too. Consequently, the models of the components reported in Table 3 are only indications of possible solutions, as the system could integrate alternative components with comparable performances.

Other renewables can also be optionally integrated into the microgrid according to their on-site availability. The SHES is fully scalable for electric power outputs of 270 kW up to 2.7 MW to meet the varying energy needs from 150 to 1500-persons base camps. Several units of the system, eventually centralized at each tent, can be interconnected to complement the system provided for a 150-person base camp with a larger operational power range. The scaling options include the deployment of additional PV arrays, supplementary battery units, larger power generators, a large-scale WHRU, and a large-scale SHW system.

The SHES design architecture provides redundancy to ensure continuous operation through any subsystem failure, while the microgrid supply power guarantees the longer service and lifespans. The hybrid power generation design prioritizes renewable, followed by battery power, resulting in less generator runtime, thus requiring less maintenance. The EMS allows for identifying operations and maintenance issues before they become problematic, improving problem response time while contributing to the overall system reliability. Furthermore, the central and remote monitoring of the system parameters improves the maintenance supervision, scheduling, and managemen<sup>t</sup> control. The proposed solution is provided with fire protection and security functions. The SHES incorporates existing technologies and state-of-the-art components; therefore, eventual replacements parts are widely available in the market. The system is prewired, preconfigured, and designed to be rapidly deployed as a plug and play system, following minor on-site assembly.
