Montgomery County has installed a Microgrid Project at Montgomery County’s Correctional Facility (MCCF), located at 22880 Whelan Lane, Boyds, Maryland as part of a comprehensive effort to ensure the resiliency of critical public services during major electric distribution system outages. MCCF is a correction and rehabilitation facility responsible for approximately 1,000 inmates.

The project includes multiple clean energy technologies integrated to operate seamlessly. The microgrid will reduce greenhouse gas emission by more than 950 metric tons annually, the equivalent of taking 200 cars off the road. The project design includes; a 240 KW Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system combined with existing generators and a cyber security system. Along with the existing back-up diesel generators, the CHP system will have the ability to power the facility for an indefinite period of time.

The County’s microgrid project is a Public-Private Partnership. Duke Energy Renewables will own and operate the system for its 25-year service life. Schneider Electric will construct and maintain the system. The project is a national model to improve the resiliency of local governments and is receiving national attention. The project is expected to be an example to other communities looking to protect similar public services.