Construction Begins on Largest U.S. Transit Depot Microgrid Powered by Renewable Energy

WSP serving as engineer of record for Maryland’s David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center; first on the East Coast to produce on-site green hydrogen energy.

DERWOOD, MARYLAND — Work is underway on the landmark David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center (EMTOC) that will feature electric bus charging and on-site green hydrogen production powered by solar and battery energy storage.

A June 14 groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of construction on an integrated microgrid infrastructure project that will be the largest renewable energy-powered transit depot microgrid in the U.S., as well as the first on the East Coast to produce sustainable hydrogen energy on-site.

Montgomery County’s EMTOC is a major depot within Ride-On Montgomery’s network and the fifth largest county-owned energy consumer. By 2035, EMTOC is projected to accommodate 200 zero-emissions buses, mostly hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs).

Fueling the County’s initial 13 FCEBs with green hydrogen produced by the microgrid’s solar array will advance the County’s goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, reducing its annual Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 4,000 metric tons of CO₂, equivalent to approximately 780 homes’ annual electricity use. The EMTOC microgrid will further enhance the County’s bus rapid transit network and create career and training opportunities for underserved communities.

WSP, a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy, is contracted by M.A. Mortenson Co. (Mortenson) as engineer of record (EoR) on the design-build team. In turn, Mortenson is contracted by AlphaStruxure, the developer and leader in energy as a service (EaaS) microgrid solutions and a joint venture of Carlyle and Schneider Electric to deliver the EMTOC microgrid to Montgomery County, which operates the second-largest bus fleet in the Washington, D.C. region.

WSP is responsible for all engineering design and deliverables, including photovoltaic modeling and collection, electrical infrastructure design, microgrid modeling, site civil planning with a heavy focus on permitting and storm water prevention and utility interconnection coordination.

The EMTOC also represents one of WSP’s key projects within the firm’s large, zero-emission portfolio in the Mid-Atlantic region.

“Large-scale microgrid projects like this one will transform transportation emissions at the municipal and national level,” said Michael Case, senior vice president, Power and Energy business line executive. “WSP is proud to contribute to projects that take energy evolution forward.”

“This is one of the most unique projects I have worked on,” added Ariel Coreth, project manager at WSP. “The collaboration and passion of the entire team to deliver such an intricate project has been incredible.”

The microgrid’s construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, when the system will begin sending renewable energy back to the grid and powering zero-emissions buses.

“It’s a joyous moment to be breaking ground on a project that represents the new standard for public transit in the United States,” said Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure. “The County has proven itself as a national leader in zero-emissions transit in part by prioritizing simultaneous procurement of both the buses and the sustainable infrastructure needed to power them. Our energy as a service approach enables the county to achieve sustainable and resilient transit without upfront capital, in a way that de-risks the financial, construction and operations phases of the project.”

The existing EMTOC depot will remain fully operational throughout its construction process, with no impact on transit services. The microgrid will also provide sustainable, resilient power to the local Pepco utility company and ensure uninterrupted service during extended grid or power outages and emergency situations.

In addition to WSP and Mortenson, AlphaStruxure’s partners for the EMTOC project include Schneider Electric for the battery energy storage system, microgrid controls, switchgear and services; AZZO for network and cybersecurity; The Mobility House for charge management software; and Heliox for EV charger hardware. Trillium is providing the hydrogen electrolyzer system directly to the County.

About WSP in the U.S.

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized in 2023 on TIME’s list of the world’s best companies and Fortune’s Change the World list, WSP is driving social impact and commitment to ESG. WSP in the U.S. brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With approximately 14,000 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper. wsp.com

source https://csengineermag.com/construction-begins-on-largest-u-s-transit-depot-microgrid-powered-by-renewable-energy/