Air Force Launches Next-Gen Energy-as-a-Service Pilot Program at Hanscom Air Force Base

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. –  On February 14, 2023, the Department of the Air Force is kicking off a $10 million next-generation energy performance contract that will deliver resilient and reliable energy to Hanscom Air Force Base. The pilot project is the federal government’s first-ever effort to adopt and integrate a commercial Energy-as-a-Service, or EaaS, business model, which gives customers access to energy management services without upfront costs, to provide resilient, efficient, and cost-effective energy that will benefit an installation.

The Air Force Office of Energy Assurance is supporting this project in partnership with the Consortium for Energy, Environment and Demilitarization and its members, Eversource in partnership with Ameresco. The team will explore an innovative EaaS model that will deliver resilient and reliable energy to installation mission owners on Hanscom in a more cost-effective manner than current DAF energy management and procurement methods.

“Our partners have developed an innovative prototype that will meet the resilience and reliability needs of Hanscom with an added benefit of producing lower carbon emissions than our current system,” said AF OEA Director, Kirk Phillips. “Energy resilience can often be achieved through distributed energy that can be produced on the installation and that is not tied to a supply chain.”

Eversource, the local energy provider at Hanscom, is “proud to partner with Hanscom Air Force Base to deliver an energy delivery and usage model that leverages the best of today’s innovative technologies to provide resilient, sustainable energy service,” said Penni Conner, Eversource Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Energy Strategy.

The sentiment was echoed by Ameresco Executive Vice President, Nicole Bulgarino. “We commend the leadership at Hanscom Air Force Base for their strategic vision when it comes to the Energy as a Service model,” Bulgarino said. “The unique structure of EaaS allows the base to focus on critical operations while ensuring their energy needs are met through resilient and renewable distributed energy infrastructure.”

This EaaS project will deliver mission-critical renewable energy using solar arrays and battery energy storage systems using an established Other Transaction Agreement tailored to prototyping these types of projects.

“The membership of the CEED consortium applauds the Air Force’s leadership in the use of Other Transaction Authority to help meet its installation energy needs,” said James Frankovic, President and Chief Operating Officer of Consortium Management Group, of which CEED is a part. “The consortium looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance to develop and demonstrate more resilient, cost-effective and cleaner power at Air Force installations across the globe.”

The Air Force EaaS pilot will span three years which includes an initial design-build period, an operational period of at least 12 months, and concludes with an evaluation and reporting period. If successful, this prototype can potentially be replicated across other Air Force installations.

About SAF/IEE: The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Environment, Safety, and Infrastructure (SAF/IEE) is responsible for all matters pertaining to Air Force built and natural infrastructure, environment, safety, occupational health, radiation safety and radioactive materials management interests.  SAF/IEE sustains the Air Force as a ready and robust force and preserves America’s investment in the Air Force by integrating the best in environment, safety, occupational health, and installation practices into all Air Force activities.

About the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance (AF OEA): The Air Force Office of Energy Assurance provides the energy and utilities expertise necessary to identify, develop, and deliver impactful energy resilience solutions that assure Air Force mission and installation readiness.

About CEED: CEED is a consortium of more than 450 innovative companies and institutions with expertise in operational and installation energy resilience, environmental technology, sustainable manufacturing, distribution logistics and construction. CEED is managed by Consortium Management Group (CMG), a leader in the use of Other Transaction Authority to provide solutions to meet the DoD’s toughest challenges. CMG provides the knowhow, collaborative platform and end-to-end acquisition support required to deliver defense innovation at the speed of business.

About Eversource Energy:   Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2023 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to approximately 4.4 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,500 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.

About Ameresco: Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Our comprehensive portfolio includes energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions delivered to clients throughout North America and Europe. Ameresco’s sustainability services in support of clients’ pursuit of Net Zero include upgrades to a facility’s energy infrastructure and the development, construction, and operation of distributed energy resources. Ameresco has successfully completed energy saving, environmentally responsible projects with Federal, state and local governments, healthcare and educational institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. With its corporate headquarters in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,000 employees providing local expertise in the United States, Canada, and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.