Ameresco Inc., a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers navigate the energy transition, collaborated with CPower, the leading, national virtual power plant provider guiding customers towards a clean and dependable energy future, to enhance Fort Detrick’s energy infrastructure, reflecting both companies' commitment to energy innovation and sustainability.
Nestled on a sprawling 1,200-acre campus, Fort Detrick is a hub for groundbreaking scientific and medical advancements, hosting the world’s largest biological containment research campus. The U.S. Army Garrison at Fort Detrick faced a critical need for reliable, future-ready energy infrastructure to support its vital mission. An innovative efficient energy solution has redefined energy independence and sustainability for the installation.
The collaborative project at Fort Detrick set out to achieve several key objectives. These included enhancing energy independence and security for the U.S. Army base; supporting widespread sustainability initiatives to improve the ability of Fort Detrick to withstand and recover from energy-related challenges; and reducing energy consumption and securing affordable energy.
To meet these goals, a 6 MW / 6 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) was integrated with Fort Detrick’s existing 18.6 MW DC solar facility. Fort Detrick can now realize maximum performance and economic value because the system is integrated into CPower's VPP, allowing Ameresco to participate in PJM’s Frequency Regulation, Economic Demand Response and Synchronized Reserves programs.
The Advanced Renewable Energy System’s impact is evident in various quantifiable metrics, including the provision of frequency regulation services to the regional grid, ensuring power quality and supporting local communities. It generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of around 2,720 homes per year and reduces costs through the purchase of renewable energy at or below current and projected utility rates. Additionally, it supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s goal of deploying 80-160 GW of VPPs by 2030.
These benefits not only enhance Fort Detrick’s energy security but also provide a scalable model for other military bases seeking to improve sustainability and cost-effectiveness through integrated renewable energy solutions.
The project demonstrated highly innovative and successful engineering design approaches with a focus on continually maximizing the benefits for Fort Detrick and the government. Central to the project’s innovative approach is the strategic use of CPower’s platform, which optimizes the BESS to provide critical services to regional electric grids. This allows Fort Detrick to optimize its energy use and ensure a steady stream of power; contribute to wider grid resilience, protecting local communities from blackouts and brownouts; and earn financial rewards for demand response.
CPower’s software played a key role by providing concept-stage modeling to determine the ideal BESS size and evaluate revenue potential. The close collaboration between CPower and Ameresco during the development phase ensured seamless integration and avoided costly rework.
As with many defense projects, there were challenges related to security requirements for metering and coordinating across multiple parties for equipment specifications and installation. The team navigated these complexities by fostering open communication and building strong partnerships across all stakeholders, ensuring all requirements were met without compromising the project’s integrity.
The implementation of CPower’s optimization solution was pivotal in the project's success. This software simplifies VPP participation by using artificial intelligence to streamline the scheduling and dispatch of distributed energy resources (DERs) across various grid service programs. It ensures maximum value delivery through enhanced reliability, DER asset monetization and ease of use, while intelligently optimizing and automating multiple DERs across multiple programs at a single site.
Also, by integrating Ameresco’s BESS with CPower’s VPP, Fort Detrick can better support energy resiliency goals while contributing to wider grid reliability and security.
This project exemplifies a sustainable solution that powers Fort Detrick’s mission-critical research and operations while serving as a model for energy independence and sustainability across military installations. Fort Detrick stands as a beacon of energy resilience, showcasing technological innovation aligned with the Army’s strategic goals for a sustainable future.
The Advanced Renewable Energy System at Fort Detrick, due to a collaboration between CPower and Ameresco, demonstrates how innovative energy solutions can drive sustainability and efficiency. In recognizing its integration of advanced software solutions the project's E+E Leader Award 2025 highlights the project’s remarkable contributions to advancing energy innovation, underscoring its significant impact in the field.
