Ameresco, a top US energy integrator and clean energy developer, announced this Tuesday it has agreed with the US Coast Guard to develop a microgrid project for the Coats Guard’s largest training facility, the Training Center Petaluma, in California.
Firstly, the contract is a $43 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). Ameresco will integrate solar energy, a battery energy storage system, and advanced microgrid controls to lessen the site’s energy consumption and increase its resiliency.
The project will be, in fact, the US Coast Guard’s first battery energy storage system; also, the first solar renewable energy project integrated within its installations. Moreover, the microgrid will integrate existing distributed backup generators with a new 5 megawatt (MW) solar array; and an 11.6 MW battery storage system to power the entire site in the event of a loss of utility.
In addition, the project will integrate further improvements in the future, like new power distribution transformers; Smart controls in 10 buildings across campus; LED lighting improvements for over 8,000 fixtures; installation of new electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment upgrades.
Furthermore, the project’s inception was back in February 2021. The Petaluma training center was struggling with a range of energy security and resiliency challenges. Those were indeed endemic to northern California’s climate and regional power infrastructure. In light of the regularity and severity of weather events and utility interruptions affecting the site, the US Coast Guard selected Ameresco to deliver the solutions.
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Ameresco to design and develop a historic project for the Coast Guard
Consequently, Ameresco got the ESPC to enhance the site’s electric infrastructure and resiliency posture. Once completed, the project would reach energy cost savings for the Petaluma Training Center of more than $1.2 million in the first year alone. The project will also reduce the site’s annual electricity and propane consumption by 8.7M kWh and 50.8 kgals, respectively.
On the other hand, Capt. Steven Ramassini, commanding officer for the training campus, said. “This contract award enables continuity of operations in an environment of unpredictable climate hazards and will increase Training Center Petaluma’s relevance throughout the region while sustaining our Coast Guard mission-ready total workforce.”
On her side, Nicole Bulgarino, executive vice president, Ameresco, commented. “We are so honored to lead the design and development of this historic project for the United States Coast Guard. The upgrades outlined integrate energy efficiency and clean onsite energy with advanced microgrid controls and will significantly enhance the training facility’s energy resiliency.”
Finally, the project’s construction will begin in October 2021 and will reach completion by Fall 2023.
