Construction has begun on a groundbreaking project in Derwood, Maryland, that promises to revolutionize public transit infrastructure. The David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center (EMTOC) will feature the largest renewable energy-powered transit depot microgrid in the United States. This innovative facility will combine electric bus charging capabilities with on-site green hydrogen production, powered by solar energy and battery storage.
The project, led by AlphaStruxure in partnership with Montgomery County, aims to accommodate 200 zero-emissions buses by 2035, primarily hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). This ambitious undertaking will significantly reduce the county's carbon footprint, cutting annual emissions by 4,000 metric tons of CO2. The microgrid's design not only supports the county's goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2035 but also enhances the local bus rapid transit network and creates new career opportunities in underserved communities.
The EMTOC project showcases the power of collaboration between public and private entities. WSP, a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, serves as the engineer of record, working alongside M.A. Mortenson Co. and AlphaStruxure. This partnership brings together expertise in photovoltaic modeling, electrical infrastructure design, and microgrid modeling to create a cutting-edge facility.
The project's scope extends beyond bus electrification, incorporating sustainable power generation for the local Pepco utility company. This added resilience ensures uninterrupted service during grid outages and emergency situations, demonstrating the far-reaching benefits of innovative infrastructure design. The existing EMTOC depot will remain operational throughout the construction process, minimizing disruption to current transit services.
As the first facility on the East Coast to produce sustainable hydrogen energy on-site, the EMTOC project is poised to become a model for future transit developments across the nation. The energy-as-a-service approach employed by AlphaStruxure allows Montgomery County to achieve its sustainability goals without significant upfront capital investment, mitigating financial and operational risks.
The project's completion, expected by the end of 2025, will mark a significant milestone in the evolution of public transit infrastructure. By integrating renewable energy generation, energy storage, and green hydrogen production, the EMTOC microgrid demonstrates a holistic approach to reducing transportation emissions at both municipal and national levels.
