Maryland county builds green hydrogen bus depot microgrid
A new hydrogen fuel cell truck.
Montgomery County, Maryland, has embarked on an ambitious project in collaboration with AlphaStruxure, a leading microgrid provider, to construct the nation's largest renewable energy-powered bus depot. This groundbreaking endeavour is set to revolutionise the county's transit system, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
The Maryland bus depot, slated for completion in 2025, will not only be the largest of its kind in the United States but also the first on the East Coast to produce green hydrogen onsite. This innovative microgrid project, delivered through AlphaStruxure's Energy as a Service model, will feature a 5.65-megawatt (MW) capacity and incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as electric bus charging stations and onsite green hydrogen production powered by solar and battery energy storage systems.
One of the remarkable features of this microgrid is its ability to operate indefinitely in "island mode," ensuring uninterrupted operations even during power outages or grid disruptions. This added resilience is crucial for maintaining the continuity of essential public transportation services.
The microgrid will be housed at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center, a vital hub within the Ride On Montgomery network and the fifth-largest county-owned energy consumer. By 2035, the depot is projected to accommodate a fleet of 200 zero-emissions buses, with a significant portion being hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs).
FCEBs are zero-emissions vehicles powered by hydrogen and oxygen, emitting only water vapour as a byproduct. Montgomery County's decision to adopt FCEBs was driven by their extended range capabilities, making them well-suited for longer bus routes. This forward-thinking approach aligns with the county's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable transportation solutions.
Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure, commended Montgomery County's leadership in the transition to zero-emissions transit, stating, "Montgomery County has proven itself as a national leader in zero-emissions transit, in part by prioritising simultaneous procurement of both the buses and the sustainable infrastructure needed to power them. Both are fundamental to a successful fleet transition."
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The green hydrogen bus depot microgrid project is a testament to Montgomery County's dedication to environmental stewardship and its vision for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Once operational, the system will not only power the county's zero-emissions bus fleet but also contribute renewable energy back to the grid, further reducing the region's carbon footprint.
This ambitious undertaking follows the successful launch of the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot in 2022, the county's first fully constructed microgrid-powered bus depot, also spearheaded by AlphaStruxure.
Together, these two depots will eventually power around 335 zero-emissions transit buses, marking a significant milestone in Montgomery County's transition towards a more sustainable and resilient transportation infrastructure.