Driving the future of sustainable, resilient mass transit
Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot, Maryland
160K tons of CO2 avoided over 25-year project
6.5 MW microgrid with battery backup
70 EV buses
When extreme weather disrupted power for days in Montgomery County, Maryland, civic leaders sought to strengthen their community’s resilience while simultaneously pursuing more ambitious sustainability goals.
And they did it with the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot, improving vital elements of infrastructure with on-site energy solutions expertly managed by a long-term partner, AlphaStruxure.
The Challenge
- Convert diesel buses to electric and power this new electric fleet using a smart microgrid solution to help the County become net zero by 2035.
- Provide stable, resilient power in a region increasingly susceptible to severe weather due to climate change.
- Find a long-term partner to design, build, own, operate, and maintain an on-site microgrid, charging infrastructure, and other equipment to ensure uninterrupted transit bus services.
The Solution
Apps, Analytics & Services: AlphaStruxure Energy as a Service, EcoStruxure Microgrid Advisor, EcoStruxure Supervisory PSO, EcoStruxure Power Advisor, EcoStruxure Power Monitoring Expert
Edge Control: EcoStruxure Power SCADA Operation (PSO), EcoStruxure Microgrid Operation, Charge Management Controller
Connected Products: Energy Control Center, PowerLogic™, MasterPacT™, EasergyMV Relay
The 6.5 MW microgrid includes three 633 kW generators, a 1.6 MW solar PV array, and a 3 MW Battery Energy Storage system. The Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot also includes:
- 4.14 MW of charging capacity
- Eighteen 180 kW 3-dispenser chargers, enabling 54 buses to be plugged in at once and capable of a full charge in approximately 3 hours
- Two 450 kW pantograph chargers for rapidly charging buses at 450 kW for up to 10 minutes
- Plug-in chargers mounted on overhead charging reels, improving operations and avoiding hazards associated with ground-level cabling
The Results
- AlphaStruxure’s Energy as a Service model integrated with EcoStruxure Microgrid solutions helped Montgomery County become a leader in fleet electrification and a sustainability archetype for local governments across the country — all with zero capital outlay.
- What was just another diesel bus depot is now The Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot. It contains a 6.5 MW microgrid with on-site solar, battery energy storage, and natural gas generation.
- EcoStruxure’s on-site renewable energy generation and battery energy storage solutions provide peace of mind for the County’s 1.1 million residents, ensuring buses can operate in the event of a main grid outage. This project also advances the County’s goal of reducing carbon emissions 80% by 2027, and 100% by 2035.
Chris Brown, Chief, Office of Energy and Sustainability, Montgomery County, Maryland
Customer testimonial
"Working with AlphaStruxure solved a multitude of problems for the County. First and foremost, it brings in expertise to help us achieve our goals and build complex infrastructure. Secondarily, it creates a long-term partnership, where we have the right experts in place."
AlphaStruxure’s Energy as a Service model removes the burden of financing, owning, installing, and managing energy infrastructure, which means organizations can focus on their business without worrying about risk or any upfront capital investment.
And the seamless integration of EcoStruxure solutions throughout the project supports the community’s future-ready focus through digital transformation.
Energy as a Service Microgrids
Microgrids managed by AlphaStruxure use EcoStruxure products and solutions to deliver predictable energy costs, optimized power usage, enhanced resilience, greater reliability, and accelerated emissions reductions.
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