Ameresco, Inc. recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick’s Area B Solar Field to celebrate the activation of the newly completed U.S. Army’s advanced renewable energy system at U.S. Army Installation Fort Detrick in Frederick, Md. This event marks the culmination of efforts to enhance the base’s energy independence, sustainability, and potential for energy resiliency.
Ameresco’s energy asset activation is now live and features a 6 MW/6MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) that integrates seamlessly with an existing 18.6 MW (DC) solar energy facility, which has been operational since 2016. This integration not only boosts the facility’s capacity by providing frequency regulation services to the local electric grid but also enhances the overall energy security and sustainability of the installation by improving the power quality and correcting unintended fluctuations in generation.
“We’re proud to lead initiatives that not only bolster the U.S. Army’s energy security but also align with our commitment to consistently deliver the most innovative and vendor neutral energy solutions,” said Nicole Bulgarino, Executive Vice President of Ameresco. “This project at Fort Detrick is a steppingstone toward future developments, including potential integration into a microgrid system, which will provide further essential backup power and support the Army’s mission-critical operations during potential outages.”
The Fort Detrick facility is a key U.S. Installation Management Command installation (IMCOM), encompassing a 1,200-acre campus. It supports a broad spectrum of government agencies and military services including the Defense Health Agency, Space Force, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, and the 21st Signal Brigade. Fort Detrick has been an integral part of the community since its establishment and continues to be a hub for significant scientific and medical advancements, which it will now continue with the support of its new BESS activation.
