Microgrids, Industrial, Solar  -  November 2, 2022

Maryland Bus Depot Adds Microgrid  

The Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot in Montgomery County, Maryland will integrate a 6.5 MW microgrid and electric bus charging infrastructure project that uses onsite solar canopies, natural gas generators, battery storage, microgrid controls and electric bus chargers to support 70 electric buses, a solution that can run independently of the local utility. 

Mobility House’s smart charging and energy management system, ChargePilot, coordinates charging with the microgrid by optimizing the buses’ charging schedules based on route blocks and energy demands to ensure vehicle readiness.

“Montgomery County has been committed to sustainability leadership and improving resilience after experiencing extreme weather events and recent extended power outages. Brookville Smart Energy Depot aligns with the County’s priorities to reduce emissions from public transportation while strengthening the community and infrastructure assets,” said Michael Yambrach, Interim Chief, Office of Energy and Sustainability, Department of General Services for Montgomery County, in a statement.

The microgrid features 1.6 MW of solar PV, three 633 kW generators and 3 MW of battery storage to support up to 70 electric buses or 50% of the Brookville bus fleet. Charging from its onsite power supply gives the County freedom to “island” from the grid, which ensures continuous fleet operation in the event of grid failures.

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