Energy Efficiency, Energy Storage, Commercial, Solar  -  September 8, 2022

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Adds More Solar  

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JBMDL) received more solar power from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Energy when it executed a $92 million second phase designed to add more onsite solar energy, energy efficiency measures and infrastructure upgrades to an initial $48 million task order issued in 2021 for on-site solar generation. 

The project will both support JBMDL’s goals to enhance its mission through energy assurance and advance the Climate Smart Building Initiative. The Climate Smart Buildings Initiative is a federal government program announced earlier this month, focused on leveraging energy performance contracting to achieve emission reduction and accelerate the clean energy transition.

Ameresco is implementing a range of additional energy conservation measures (ECMs) focused on energy efficiency, additional on-site solar generation, battery storage technology, and a new microgrid controls system.

The total solar photovoltaic capacity to be deployed amounts to 32 MW. Ameresco is also installing a 2MW/4MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) and integrating the solar, storage, and backup generation assets within the new microgrid. The pairing of distributed energy generation systems with BESS and microgrid controls is designed to assure the base’s access to uninterrupted power in support of JBMDL’s critical missions.

The Phase 2 construction is scheduled to begin shortly and reach completion in early 2025 and is designed to achieve energy demand reductions through more than 90,000 LED fixture retrofits, wireless streetlighting controls, and advanced interior lighting controls and will generate over $4.7 million in annual energy savings for JBMDL and a total energy usage reduction of 22%.

“We are incredibly excited to expand our already robust partnership with the team at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst,” said Nicole Bulgarino, Executive Vice President of Federal Solutions at Ameresco, in a statement. “We’re eager to get started on the integration of advanced clean technologies to create a more resilient and sustainable energy future for the base and deliver a project that meets the installation’s mission requirements while also advancing the Climate Smart Building Initiative.”