PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Eaton Corp. will receive a $2.4 million federal stimulus grant to develop energy-efficient technology for military bases, the diversified industrial manufacturer said Monday.
During the 18-month project, Eaton will develop a microgrid that better manages power, consumes less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gases. The researchers will explore solar, wind and natural gas power, and also develop ways to store energy for future use.
At the same time, the Army wants to develop an uninterrupted power supply that doesn't rely on commercial utility power, so that an outage affecting civilians won't have an impact on critical missions and other military activities.
The Army's engineer research and development center's construction engineering research laboratory will administer the project.
Eaton will spend the first year of the project engaging in research and development at Georgia Tech University, the University of Wisconsin and Eaton's innovation centers in Pittsburgh and Milwaukee. The company's research will culminate with a demonstration at Fort Sill, Okla.
According to the 2009 Defense Department Appropriations Act, military bases spent $4.1 billion on energy and fuel in 2008 and consumed 3.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, enough to power 350,000 households.
Shares of the Pittsburgh-based company fell 23 cents to $112.21 during Monday afternoon trading.