US Army Awards Ameresco Energy Storage System Contract

FREDERICK, Md. — The U.S. Army has awarded the Federal Solutions Group of Ameresco Inc. a contract to add a comprehensive battery storage system to the existing 18.6-MW solar energy facility at the Fort Detrick Army Garrison in Maryland.

Ameresco, a clean-tech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, will install the 6-MW battery on the 67-acre site in partnership with Defense Logistics Agency Energy.

Among other things, the new battery will ensure the balance of electricity supply and demand at all times across the system. In addition, it will be microgrid ready, allowing for future additions of resiliency equipment.

Best of all, from the Army’s perspective, the new battery is designed to provide guaranteed utility cost savings of $125,000 annually to the government.

“We have been working with Ameresco to continually reduce our facilities’ fossil-fuel energy consumption and ensure greener environmental strategies for years to come,” said Garrison Commander Col. Danford Bryant in a written statement.

“This is a great project and an excellent example of collaboration to support both the Army and the community,” he added.

Ameresco’s relationship with the Fort Detrick Army Garrison dates back to 2015 when it was awarded a 26-year Renewable Energy Supply Agreement and site lease to design, build, finance, and operate and maintain the facility’s 18.6-MW-dc solar renewable energy generation system. 

The solar field, which includes 59,994 solar panels, nine central inverters and transformers, and medium-voltage overhead and underground electric distribution, was completed in 2016, one month ahead of schedule. It currently serves approximately 12% of Fort Detrick’s annual electric load requirements.

“We commend the Army for taking yet another step to improve their energy infrastructure through battery energy storage technologies at Fort Detrick,” said Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice president of Ameresco in a written statement. 

“This installation ties in the renewable energy generation from the existing solar arrays to a system that will allow the base to be microgrid-ready, ultimately creating a more resilient and future energy-ready base,” she said.

The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue