Montgomery County's Trailblazing Microgrid: A Sustainable Oasis for Transit Innovation
Key Ideas
- Montgomery County, Maryland is constructing the nation's largest renewable energy-powered transit depot featuring a 5.65 megawatt microgrid, hydrogen electrolyzer, and 200 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses.
- The project, led by AlphaStruxure, aims for completion by 2025 with zero upfront costs through Energy as a Service, showcasing sustainability and resilience with a focus on equity and operational continuity.
- The initiative will reduce carbon emissions by 4,000 metric tons annually, benefitting minority and low-income riders with cleaner air, less congestion, and supporting a significant increase in zero-emission buses by 2035.
- Partnerships with key organizations and AlphaStruxure's commitment to decarbonizing energy infrastructure underline the project's innovative approach to transit, setting a new standard for public transportation in the US.
AlphaStruxure and Montgomery County, Maryland, have embarked on constructing the nation's largest renewable energy-powered transit depot at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center. This project includes a 5.65 megawatt microgrid with solar arrays, electric bus chargers, battery energy storage, and an on-site hydrogen electrolyzer. The depot aims to support 200 zero-emission buses by 2035, primarily hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, showcasing a sustainable and resilient approach to public transit with a focus on reducing carbon emissions.
The initiative, delivered via Energy as a Service (EaaS) with zero upfront costs, emphasizes operational continuity and equity, benefitting minority and low-income riders. The microgrid is expected to reduce the County's carbon emissions by 4,000 metric tons annually, contributing to cleaner air and less congestion in the region. Partnerships with organizations like Mortenson, Schneider Electric, and WSP demonstrate a collaborative effort towards sustainability.
AlphaStruxure's vision for decarbonizing energy infrastructure and their role in financing and implementing the project highlight the commitment to innovation and sustainability in transit. The project is not only a milestone for Montgomery County but also represents a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient public transportation system in the US.
Topics
Projects
Renewable Energy
Green Technology
Community Benefits
Transit Innovation
Sustainability Leadership
Zero-emission Buses
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