Renewable Energy
DGS currently has Solar PV installations at four agency buildings, with total capacity of 432 kW and generating approximately 520,000 kWh per year:
- Tawes State Office Building - 580 Taylor Avenue. Annapolis - 126 kW
- John R. Hargrove, Sr. DC & MS Center -700 E. Patapsco Ave. Baltimore - 106 kW
- Elkton DC & MS Center -170 E. Main St. Elkton - 74 kW
- Ellicott City DC & MS Center -3451 Courthouse Dr. Ellicott City - 126 kW
Other Maryland State Agencies have Solar PV installations with total capacity of 1.75 MW and generating approximately 2,943,360 kWh per year:
- Maryland Aviation Administration – Thurgood Marshall/BWI Airport 500 kW
- Maryland Transit Administration – 500 kW
- Maryland Port Administration – 750 kW
Generating Clean Horizons
Through a DGS and USM managed initiative, the State purchases renewable power from two large wind installations and a solar installation, through 20-year Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs):
- Mount St. Mary's Solar – 13 MW installation, 12,968 MWh/year. Delivery began July 2012
- Roth Rock Wind – 10 MW installation, 30,605 MWh/year. Delivery began August in 2011
- Pinnacle - 55.2 MW installation, 173,542 MWh/year. Delivery began December 2011
DGS also works with State agencies in the development and implementation of additional renewable projects throughout the State.
Renewable Energy Credits (REC)
The sale of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) incentivizes investment in renewable power generation. Through the Generating Clean Horizons PPAs, the State pays for renewable electricity generation in two parts: the electricity or electrical energy produced by a renewable generator and the renewable “attributes” (RECs) of that generation. (These attributes account for the tons of greenhouse gas that were avoided by generating electricity from renewable resources instead of conventional fuels, such as coal, nuclear, oil, or gas.) RECs may be sold separately at prevailing market prices.
In 2015, DGS elected to retire a portion of its legacy (2012) RECs in order to satisfy its 2014 obligation under the Maryland Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS):
RECs Retired to Meet DGS 2014 RPS Obligation
Tier 1: 59,394
Solar: 2,089
Tier 2: 14,923
DGS retains any remaining RECs in an account for future use, such as sale at a discounted price to an eligible public sector entity.
Annual Report on the Status of DGS Programs that Support the State's Greenhouse Gas Reduction Efforts or Address Climate Change
In accordance with §2-1305 of the Environmental Article, the Department of General Services
(DGS) submits its annual report to the Governor and the Maryland Commission on Climate Change on the status of programs that support the State’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act (GGRA) efforts or address Climate Change. This report will highlight how programs run by the DGS Office of Energy and Sustainability reduce greenhouse gases and other air pollutants. This report shows estimated greenhouse gas reductions for 2010 through the 2023 calendar year.
Any questions about State Renewable Energy can be directed to:
David St.Jean
Director
David.StJean1@maryland.gov
410-767-4472
