Ameresco Secures $197M Energy Infrastructure Project with U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC), a leading provider of energy solutions dedicated to helping organizations navigate the energy transition, has announced a major collaboration with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) to implement a $197 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC). This project will be executed through the U.S. Army Engineering Support Center, Huntsville (USACE Huntsville Center) under the ESPC III Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC), marking a significant milestone in modernizing critical energy and water infrastructure at the NRL. The initiative will encompass both the Washington, D.C. campus and the Chesapeake Bay Detachment, aiming to enhance operational efficiency, utility resilience, and long-term financial sustainability.
The comprehensive ESPC initiative underscores Ameresco’s commitment to strengthening the operational integrity and energy resilience of U.S. federal facilities. By modernizing essential systems and integrating advanced technologies, the project is designed to provide immediate operational benefits while generating substantial cost savings over the long term. The upgrades are expected to deliver more than $362 million in savings over a 21-year performance period, reflecting the transformative potential of well-planned energy infrastructure projects in federal facilities.
At the core of this project are significant upgrades to NRL’s energy and water systems. Ameresco will modernize steam generation and distribution, upgrade chilled water systems, and implement a state-of-the-art Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This SCADA-enabled technology will provide real-time monitoring and control of energy infrastructure, ensuring seamless operations across the campuses. By integrating these technologies, Ameresco aims to optimize utility efficiency, improve system reliability, and provide NRL with enhanced oversight of its critical infrastructure.
“This initiative reflects Ameresco’s deep commitment to supporting the operational integrity of our nation’s defense infrastructure,” said Nicole Bulgarino, President of Federal Solutions and Utility Infrastructure at Ameresco. “By integrating high-efficiency systems and SCADA-enabled technologies, we are modernizing aging infrastructure and delivering significant cost savings. These upgrades are designed to ensure uninterrupted mission readiness while aligning with NRL’s long-term operational goals.”
The project’s phased implementation will prioritize the most critical infrastructure needs while minimizing operational disruption. Key components of the upgrade include the modernization of boiler and chiller plants, retrofits to steam distribution and plumbing systems, optimization of cooling towers through advanced water treatment and monitoring, and deployment of site-wide LED lighting and intelligent controls. These measures will not only improve energy efficiency and reduce maintenance costs but also enhance the safety and reliability of NRL’s operations.
One of the most pressing aspects of the project involves addressing the aging steam and condensate distribution system. By replacing and repairing these systems, Ameresco will ensure continued reliability and safety across the campus while reducing energy waste. The upgrades to chilled water systems will enhance cooling efficiency and support critical research operations, particularly at the Chesapeake Bay Detachment, where sensitive laboratory environments rely on precise climate control.
In addition to energy system modernization, the ESPC project will incorporate advanced building controls and monitoring systems to optimize operational performance. The SCADA system will allow for real-time tracking of energy consumption, early detection of inefficiencies or faults, and predictive maintenance to prevent downtime. This intelligent infrastructure approach ensures that NRL can maintain mission-critical operations without interruption while maximizing the long-term value and sustainability of the investment.
The project is anticipated to produce $12.5 million in annual cost savings, reflecting the significant financial benefits of energy and water system modernization. By deploying high-efficiency technologies and retrofitting existing infrastructure, Ameresco is helping NRL reduce operational costs while improving resilience and reliability. Over the 21-year performance period, the cumulative savings are expected to exceed $362 million, demonstrating the strategic value of long-term investment in energy infrastructure at federal research facilities.
Beyond financial savings, this initiative supports broader federal and environmental goals, including energy efficiency, sustainability, and operational resilience. Ameresco’s solutions are designed to align with NRL’s mission, providing reliable, efficient, and sustainable energy infrastructure that supports critical defense research activities. The project also serves as a model for how public-private partnerships can modernize government facilities while delivering measurable energy, cost, and operational benefits.
The collaboration with NRL highlights Ameresco’s extensive experience in delivering complex federal energy projects. By leveraging its expertise in engineering, procurement, and project management, Ameresco ensures that large-scale upgrades are executed efficiently, safely, and with minimal impact on day-to-day operations. The tailored approach for NRL prioritizes mission-critical infrastructure, ensuring continuity of essential research activities while providing long-term energy and operational resilience.
“This project represents a forward-looking approach to energy management in federal facilities,” added Bulgarino. “By combining modernization, advanced controls, and high-efficiency systems, Ameresco is helping NRL meet current and future energy demands while supporting mission-critical operations. The result is a safer, more resilient, and cost-effective infrastructure that will serve NRL for decades to come.”
