California’s Clean Transportation Program invests $2.9 million in a groundbreaking project that equips school buses with bidirectional charging, turning them into mini power plants and boosting grid resilience. This innovative approach not only benefits the environment but also strengthens vulnerable communities and generates revenue for participating school districts.
California is leading the charge in sustainable transportation, and its latest initiative takes electric school buses to the next level. The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded a $2.9 million grant to a project led by The Mobility House to install 12 bidirectional chargers at four California schools. This “Replicable V2X Deployment For Schools (RVXDS)” project will unlock the potential of electric school buses to act as mobile energy storage units, contributing to grid stability and community resilience.
Revolutionizing Grid Management:
The project leverages Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, allowing these electric buses to not only draw power from the grid but also send it back during peak demand periods. This two-way flow of energy helps alleviate strain on the grid, especially during hot summer months when power consumption surges.
Benefits Beyond Batteries:
The RVXDS project offers a multitude of advantages:
- Financial gains: Three participating schools will earn $2 per kWh by exporting power to the grid, bolstering their budgets and offsetting operational costs.
- Community resilience: One school will utilize bidirectional charging as a backup power source, ensuring vital facilities stay operational during outages, creating a safe haven for the community.
- Environmental impact: Reducing reliance on traditional power sources translates to lower greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
- Knowledge sharing: The project will create a blueprint for V2G integration in school bus operations, paving the way for wider adoption across the state.
Setting a New Standard:
“This project is a game-changer,” says Matthew Belasco, Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation at the Pittsburg Unified School District. “It demonstrates the power of electric buses to not only benefit the environment but also strengthen our community and generate financial resources.”
The RVXDS initiative sets a new precedent for sustainable transportation, showcasing the potential of electric vehicles to go beyond simply reducing emissions. By integrating them into the grid and empowering communities, California is charting a course towards a future where clean energy and resilience go hand in hand.
