Ameresco and CPower Win Environment+Energy Leader Award for Enhancing Energy Independence at Maryland U.S. Army Base

Rhea-AI Summary

Ameresco (NYSE: AMRC) and CPower Energy have received the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards' 'Judges' Choice' distinction for their Advanced Renewable Energy System project at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick in Maryland. The project showcases innovation in energy resilience and grid support.

The implementation includes a 6 MW / 6 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) added to Fort Detrick's existing 18.6 MW DC solar facility. By connecting the battery to CPower's Virtual Power Plant (VPP), Ameresco generates revenue through PJM's Ancillary Services and Economic programs while maintaining power quality for local communities.

The project demonstrates how batteries can provide rapid grid support while maximizing customer benefits. Future developments may include integration into a microgrid system for backup power support during outages, enhancing the Army's mission-critical operations.

Positive

• Integration of 6 MW battery storage with 18.6 MW solar facility creates new revenue stream
• Project generates revenue through PJM's Ancillary Services and Economic programs
• Potential expansion into microgrid system offers growth opportunity

Negative

• None.

Insights

Federal Energy Solutions Expert

This award-winning project at Fort Detrick represents more than just recognition—it demonstrates Ameresco's proven capability to deliver complex energy solutions to federal clients while creating multiple value streams. The integration of a 6 MW/6 MWh battery system with the existing 18.6 MW DC solar facility showcases their technical expertise in combining different technologies to enhance military energy resilience.

What's particularly noteworthy is how this project aligns with Department of Defense priorities for energy security and resilience. Military installations require uninterrupted power for mission-critical operations, and this system addresses that need while simultaneously generating revenue through grid services—a dual-value proposition that distinguishes Ameresco in the federal contracting space.

The mention of potential future microgrid integration indicates this is likely part of a larger strategic implementation rather than a one-off project. This matters because the U.S. military manages over 500 installations worldwide, representing a significant addressable market for similar solutions.

While the award itself doesn't directly impact financials, it serves as third-party validation of Ameresco's approach, potentially strengthening their competitive position for future federal contracts. However, without specific financial metrics on this project's contribution to revenue or profitability, its immediate impact on Ameresco's financial outlook remains

Energy Storage & Grid Services Specialist

The technical implementation here demonstrates sophisticated asset optimization that maximizes value from a single installation. By connecting the battery system to CPower's Virtual Power Plant platform, Ameresco created a revenue-generating asset that participates in PJM's Ancillary Services and Economic programs—markets that typically reward fast-responding resources like batteries for grid stabilization services.

This approach represents the evolution of energy storage business models beyond simple peak shaving or backup power. The battery provides multiple services: enhancing resilience for the military base while simultaneously supporting grid stability and participating in wholesale electricity markets through the VPP platform.

What's significant is how this leverages regulatory changes in PJM that allow customer-sited resources to participate in grid services markets. This stacking of value streams—resilience for the customer plus market revenues—is essential for making battery economics work in many applications.

However, the project doesn't reveal the revenue-sharing arrangement between Ameresco, CPower, and the military installation, nor does it quantify the financial returns. While the technology implementation is impressive, without transparency into how this contributes to Ameresco's bottom line, investors have visibility into how such projects impact overall company performance.

The partnership with CPower is strategically sound, allowing Ameresco to focus on system integration while leveraging CPower's specialized VPP software and market expertise—a division of responsibilities that plays to each company's strengths.

Advanced renewable energy system recognized as 'Judges' Choice' in Software Implementation category for improving resilience at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick and strengthening the PJM grid

BALTIMORE and FRAMINGHAM, Mass., April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers navigate the energy transition, and CPower Energy ("CPower"), the premier virtual power plant (VPP) provider, announced that they have been recognized in the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards for the Advanced Renewable Energy System project at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick in Maryland.

As the top-scoring entry in the Software Implementation of the Year award, the project earned the Judges' Choice distinction, recognizing the partners for outstanding innovation and impact in enhancing energy resilience on the base and for boosting the PJM grid, North America's largest grid operator.

The E+E Leader Product & Project Awards is an annual program recognizing excellence in products and services that provide companies with energy and environmental benefits, or in projects implemented by companies that improved environmental or energy management outcomes and increased the bottom line.

The project reduced energy consumption and secured affordable energy for the military base, with Ameresco adding a 6 MW / 6 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) to Fort Detrick's existing 18.6 MW DC solar facility. Ameresco then unlocked additional value by connecting the battery to CPower's VPP. Central to the project's innovative approach, CPower's VPP optimizes the BESS, enabling Ameresco to earn revenue through PJM's Ancillary Services and Economic programs while supporting local communities by ensuring power quality.

"VPPs are the backbone of a resilient energy future, keeping the lights on and strengthening the U.S. economy by leveraging customer-sited energy assets like batteries, solar panels and flexible loads. This project highlights the critical role that flexibility plays in our energy ecosystem and showcases how batteries can provide rapid and frequent grid support, ultimately maximizing customer rewards and supporting grid operators like PJM," said Michael D. Smith, CEO, CPower.

"By partnering with Ameresco as a company that shares our commitment to energy innovation and sustainability, we were able to unlock the full potential of this BESS system and maximize benefits for the Fort Detrick community using CPower's VPP. It is an honor to share this award with Ameresco," Smith continued.

"We're proud to lead initiatives that not only bolster the U.S. Army's energy security but also align with our commitment to consistently deliver the most innovative and vendor-neutral energy solutions," said Nicole Bulgarino, President of Federal Solutions and Utility Infrastructure at Ameresco. "This project at Fort Detrick is a stepping stone towards future developments, including potential integration into a microgrid system, which will provide further essential backup power and support the Army's mission-critical operations during potential outages."

To learn more about how the award-winning Advanced Renewable Energy System at Fort Detrick serves as a model for energy independence and sustainability across defense installations, visit www.eeleaderawards.com.

About Environment+Energy Leader
Since 2006, Environment+Energy Leader's website and newsletters have provided the definitive and objective voice in reporting on business-related energy, environmental and sustainability issues. Visit: www.environmentenergyleader.com.

About the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards
For over a decade, the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards have recognized excellence in products, services and corporate initiatives that drive energy and environmental improvements. Entries are evaluated using a rigorous five-point rating system by an independent panel of executive-level judges from leading organizations across various industries. To see this year's winners and learn more about the judges, visit www.eeleaderawards.com.

About CPower Energy
CPower Energy is the premier Virtual Power Plant provider, monetizing the value of customer-sited energy to intelligently strengthen the grid. For over a decade, we've made it simple for businesses, factories, public institutions and other large energy users to turn their energy flexibility into revenue, delivering over $1 billion from market programs.

With 7.0 GW of customer capacity across more than 29,000 sites, we're empowering energy users across North America to benefit from a sustainable, innovative energy economy. CPower is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and is owned by LS Power, a development, investment and operating company focused on the power and energy infrastructure sector. For more information, visit: www.cpowerenergy.com.

About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) is a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Our comprehensive portfolio includes implementing smart energy efficiency solutions, upgrading aging infrastructure and developing, constructing and operating distributed energy resources. As a trusted full-service partner, Ameresco shows the way by reducing energy use and delivering diversified generation solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, educational and healthcare institutions, housing authorities and commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ameresco-and-cpower-win-environmentenergy-leader-award-for-enhancing-energy-independence-at-maryland-us-army-base-302416806.html

SOURCE CPower Energy

FAQ

What is the capacity of the battery storage system installed by Ameresco (AMRC) at Fort Detrick?

Ameresco installed a 6 MW / 6 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) at Fort Detrick, complementing the existing 18.6 MW DC solar facility.

How does the Fort Detrick energy project generate revenue for Ameresco (AMRC)?

The project generates revenue through PJM's Ancillary Services and Economic programs by connecting the battery storage system to CPower's Virtual Power Plant (VPP).

What future developments are planned for Ameresco's (AMRC) Fort Detrick energy project?

Future developments include potential integration into a microgrid system to provide backup power support during outages for Army's mission-critical operations.

What award did Ameresco (AMRC) receive for the Fort Detrick energy project?

Ameresco received the 'Judges' Choice' distinction in the Software Implementation category at the E+E Leader Product & Project Awards.