Oftentimes, some of the most innovative forms technology are designed with military applications in mind, first. Later, they can sometimes find widespread civilian application. I believe that we are seeing that in action, here, with the above video. Imagine that instead of being a forward operating base (FOB) somewhere in the Middle East, it is in fact a small city somewhere in the Mid-West. The fundamental principle(s) would still be the same, however: built-in redundancy (duplicative or overlapping systems that also "check on each other"); such overlapping systems would be based on networked computer systems providing continuous feedback on overall energy use to the end-users, as well as re-balancing energy loads, depending on local circumstances; together with a mix of various "alternative" energy inputs, thereby significantly reducing the need for fossil fuel inputs.
It is worth noting that a majority of combat casualties in Iraq were incurred in defending truck convoys which were carrying liquid fuels to FOBs. Newer, high performance, high efficiency energy technology would (based primarily on wind and solar) go far to reduce reliance on those liquid fuels (based on petroleum). Ergo, in the short-run, the combat casualty rate will likely go down (all other things being equal) as more and more of these new experimental forward operating bases are deployed in theaters of conflict.
In many ways, the US military is now helping to lead the way toward the new green economy! In the search for solutions to our current (and deepening) energy and environmental predicament, we shall have to consider all possible sources of valuable information. The work of the US Department of Defense is one key domain in the development of advanced, next generation, high-performance energy systems. For more details on all of this, check out the US Marine Corps' Expeditionary Energy site, at http://www.marines.mil/community/Pages/ExpeditionaryEnergy.aspx.
The large electronics firm (and large-scale military contractor), Lockheed Martin, has this to say about its Microgrid Solutions program:
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control (MFC) Intelligent Microgrid Solutions meet energy challenges not possible with traditional power. They are designed to provide both basic and intelligent microgrid functionality. Further, they are scalable with a Plug-n-Play backbone and control system allowing future expansion to meet growing needs and/or adapt to geographic limitations. Applications include: fixed installations, remote operations, mobile operations, campuses, data centers and industrial sites.
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