Advanced Renewable Energy System Unveiled at Fort Detrick

Ameresco, Inc. recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick Area B Solar Field to celebrate the activation of the recently completed U.S. Army Advanced Renewable Energy System at U.S. Army Installation Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland. The event is the culmination of efforts to advance the base’s energy independence, sustainability, and energy resiliency capabilities.

The activation of Ameresco’s energy assets is already underway and includes a 6 MW/6 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that seamlessly integrates with the existing 18.6 MW (DC) solar plant that has been in operation since 2016. This integration not only increases the plant’s efficiency by providing frequency regulation services to the local grid, but also improves the overall energy security and sustainability of the facility by improving power quality and correcting unintended generation fluctuations.

“We are proud to lead initiatives that not only strengthen the U.S. Army’s energy security, but also align with our commitment to consistently delivering the most innovative and vendor-neutral energy solutions,” said Nicole Bulgarino, Ameresco executive vice president. “This project at Fort Detrick is a milestone toward future achievements, including potential integration with a microgrid system that will continue to provide essential emergency power and support mission-critical operations during potential power outages.”

The Fort Detrick facility is a key U.S. Installation Management Command (IMCOM) installation spanning a 1,200-acre campus. It serves 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 21st Signal Brigade. Fort Detrick has been an integral part of the community since its inception and continues to be a center for significant scientific and medical advances, which it will now continue to do with support for the new BESS activation.