Microgrids & Energy Resilience Summit — 2024-10-28

Defense Strategies Institute's 3rd Annual Microgrids & Energy Resilience Summit will provide a forum for members of the Department of War (DoW), Military Services, Federal Government, Industry, and Academia, and other leading stakeholders to advance the deployment, integration, and scaling of resilient, mission-ready microgrids across defense installations and critical infrastructure. This "town-hall" style summit will allow attendees to hear first-hand from decision makers and engage in meaningful conversations and discussions surrounding the microgrid and energy resilience initiatives that are central to achieving American Energy Dominance. Energy resilience is no longer a long-term ambition, it is an operational imperative. With the Department of War driving toward a mandate of 14-day energy self-sufficiency at installations nationwide, and the explosive growth of AI, electrified logistics, and advanced training systems raising the stakes further, the 2026 Microgrids & Energy Resilience Summit is where defense energy leaders come to get it done. This year's agenda brings together senior officials and installation commanders from across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps – including representatives from the Office of Energy Initiatives, Navy Installations Command, and the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance – alongside national laboratories such as Sandia, ORNL, Argonne, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, to drive meaningful progress on the policies, technologies, and partnerships that underpin mission readiness. Over two days, attendees will hear hard-won lessons from commanders at key military installations and explore utility and developer strategies for financing and delivering mission-critical microgrids under UESCs and PPAs; and examine next-generation solutions including nuclear firm power through Project Pele, 5G-enabled wireless microgrid controls, AI-driven energy storage prediction tools, and cutting-edge OT cybersecurity frameworks for contested environments. Whether you are designing, funding, procuring, or operating resilient energy systems in support of the warfighter, this Summit delivers the actionable insights, senior-level access, and cross-sector connections you need to accelerate your mission. Join stakeholders across the defense energy community to gain actionable insights, examine technical challenges, and engage in critical conversations about the future of microgrid deployment in support of national defense objectives.