Energy Storage, Distributed Generation, Solar  -  May 4, 2022

Fort Detrick Base Adds BESS

The U.S. Army awarded its Federal Solutions Group a contract to add a comprehensive battery energy storage system (BESS) to the existing 18.6 megawatt (MW) direct current (15.0 MW alternating current) solar renewable energy facility at the Fort Detrick Army Garrison in Frederick, Maryland.

In partnership with DLA Energy, Ameresco will deploy a 6 MW/6 MWh BESS on the 67-acre facility. The BESS will be operated as a demand response asset and will provide frequency regulation services to the PJM-Independent System Operator. The installed system will be microgrid-ready, allowing for future resiliency functions at the Garrison. The BESS is designed to provide guaranteed utility cost savings of $125,000 annually to the government and is scheduled to be completed in early 2023.

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

Ameresco was awarded a 26-year Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (RESA) and site lease to design, build, finance, and operate and maintain the 18.6 MW-dc solar renewable energy generation system (REGS) at Fort Detrick Army Garrison in 2015. 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.

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