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Pvilion, Inc. Wins NSIN Expeditionary Energy Challenge for Renewable Energy Solution
The company took the top spot at the live demonstration event with their solution for expeditionary power in mobile space domain platforms.
Pvilion, Inc. received the $35,000 first prize after giving service members and judges a preview of their solar cell integration technology during the final round of the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) Expeditionary Energy Challenge — held in partnership with the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron (15 SPSS).
The NSIN Expeditionary Energy Challenge represented an opportunity for exploring contracts to quickly develop and scale necessary technologies that meet the demand signals of the Department of Defense (DoD).
“NSIN Challenges provide small businesses with opportunities to connect with the DoD and challenge themselves,” shared NSIN Venture Portfolio Director and DIU Deputy Chief of Global Partnerships Abigail Desjardins. “The solutions presented here have the potential to power sensors in remote locations out in space. As the space domain becomes increasingly important, we cannot afford to let innovations like these – or the companies that power them – go unnoticed. For the DoD, that is the power of Challenges, that discovery of new solutions and that engagement with new innovators.”
As one of seven finalists, Pvilion led the field demonstrating cost-effective and renewable energy solutions to assist 15 SPSS in their search for expeditionary energy resources.
Pvilion showcased its solution, Solar Powered Integrated Structures (SPIS), which provides solar power and optional shelter that can be set up and used in a matter of minutes, enabling autonomy, flexibility, and resilience to the warfighter in austere environments. The company’s SPIS trailer and ground mount kits are modular, scalable, and designed to integrate directly with existing military equipment, replacing heavy and inefficient generators for a more mobile lightweight, solar-powered option.
“The solutions will enable distributed space domain awareness sensor architectures, allowing for better custody of resident space objects. The proposed energy solutions may help sensor capabilities deploy to remote, strategic locations that are not yet feasible [to serve] due to today’s logistical impediments [to power in space],” shared Richard W. H. Chong, Executive Director and Deputy Branch Chief of 15 SPSS. “The teams provided excellent, cogent, and articulate pitches that highlighted their solutions’ capabilities, operational use, and utility to the warfighter. The teams presented a diverse solution space, and it was quite challenging for the evaluators to decide on the final group of awardees.”
Two other ventures, Helical Solar and HNu Photonics, also received $20,000 each in prize money during the challenge’s final pitch event.
Helical Solar combined an articulating, dual-axis solar system with high-density battery storage to provide renewable and reliable, commercial-grade, three-phase power to remote locations worldwide. Its solution deploys rapidly, providing the warfighters with the energy they need quickly, enabling them to turn their focus to other pressing tasks.
HNu Photonics pitched autonomous, mobile power stations that allow for a trailer-mounted solution for rapid energy deployment in the battlefield. HNu’s solution also represented a safer, lighter, and more adaptable replacement for expensive, fossil-fueled generators.
“We learned to not be afraid to take a chance and put ourselves out there,” added Colin Touhey, Pvilion CEO and Co-Founder. “We will carry the encouragement and insight provided with us to future challenges and proposal opportunities.”
About National Security Innovation Network
NSIN is a program office in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), nested within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). We are set up to collaborate with a wide variety of innovators to include universities, researchers, students, entrepreneurs and start-ups. We create opportunities for collaboration across communities and connect those that might not traditionally work in national security. Together, we help drive national security innovation and develop technologies that directly support the individuals responsible for protecting our country.
For more information or interview requests with Team NSIN, please contact us at media@nsin.mil.
15 SPSS operates the Maui Space Surveillance Complex, a strategically located national asset at the 10,023 foot-summit of Haleakala on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The MSSC is host to small, medium, and large-aperture tracking optics, including the DoD’s largest optical telescope designed for tracking and imaging satellites, with visible and infrared sensors to collect data on near-Earth and deep-space objects. The Ground-Based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance Systems, located at Maui, Socorro, and Diego Garcia, are also under the 15 SPSS. The GEODSS Systems play a vital role in tracking deep space objects.