Montgomery County, Maryland, in partnership with AlphaStruxure, has commenced construction on what will be the largest renewable energy-powered bus depot in the United States. This innovative project will also mark the East Coast’s first transit depot microgrid to produce green hydrogen onsite.
The 5.65-megawatt (MW) microgrid project, facilitated through Energy as a Service provider AlphaStruxure with zero upfront costs, will integrate electric bus charging and onsite green hydrogen production. These operations will be powered by solar energy and battery storage, enabling the depot to function independently in “island mode.”
Located at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operations Center, a critical facility within Ride On Montgomery’s network and the county’s fifth-largest energy consumer, the microgrid will play a pivotal role in transitioning to sustainable transit. By 2035, the depot aims to support 200 zero-emissions buses, predominantly hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), known for their longer range and emission-free operation.
Juan Macias, CEO of AlphaStruxure, praised Montgomery County’s commitment to zero-emissions transit, noting their holistic approach to procuring both buses and sustainable infrastructure. He emphasized the importance of this dual strategy in ensuring a successful fleet transition.
The green hydrogen bus depot microgrid is slated to be operational in 2025. At that point, it will begin supplying renewable energy to the grid and providing power for zero-emissions buses. This initiative follows the inauguration of the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot in 2022, also led by AlphaStruxure, further solidifying Montgomery County’s position as a trailblazer in sustainable transit. Together, these projects are expected to support approximately 335 zero-emissions transit buses, significantly reducing the county’s carbon footprint.
