In Maryland, AlphaStruxure and Montgomery County have commenced construction on the largest transit depot in the US to be powered by renewable energy.
The David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center will host the country’s largest transit depot microgrid. It will also be the first on the East Coast to produce green hydrogen on-site.
This 5.65-megawatt microgrid project will include solar panels, electric bus chargers, battery storage, and a county-owned hydrogen electrolyser, enabling the depot to operate independently of the main grid.
Located in Derwood, MD, it will feature:
- 5.65 MWDC of rooftop and canopy solar generation
- 2 MW/6.88 MWh battery energy storage
- Up to 2.25 MW of charging capacity
- 1 MW hydrogen electrolyser
The County’s transit fleet, the second-largest in the Washington, DC region, is set to include 200 zero-emission buses by 2035. This fleet will primarily consist of hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) due to their extended range compared to battery electric buses.
The transit centre is expected to be completed by 2025. It is being delivered for zero upfront costs to the County via AlphaStruxure’s Energy as a Service (EaaS) model.
This follows the 2022 launch of the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot, Montgomery County’s first microgrid-powered bus depot, also developed by AlphaStruxure. Together, these depots will eventually support about 335 zero-emission buses.
Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure, said:Breaking ground on this project sets a new standard for public transit in the US. The County is a national leader in zero-emissions transit, securing both the necessary buses and the sustainable infrastructure to power them. Our EaaS model allows the County to achieve sustainable and resilient transit without upfront costs, reducing financial, construction, and operational risks.
The project supports the County’s goal of a 100% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035, reducing annual CO2 emissions by 4,000 metric tonnes.
AlphaStruxure is a joint venture between Carlyle and Schneider Electric, enabling the company to finance and operate the project through the EaaS model.
Schneider Electric will supply the microgrid technology, while Mortenson, WSP, AZZO, The Mobility House, and Heliox are also key partners.
The depot will remain operational throughout its 28-phase construction process, with no disruption to transit services.
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said:This project is a sustainable model for the nation, showcasing rapid progress from concept to construction thanks to our partnership with AlphaStruxure. It ensures our services can withstand increasingly extreme weather due to climate change and boosts our clean energy production.
