These Electric School Buses Are on Their Way to Save the Grid
May 16, 2024
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Exploring the transition to electric school buses for grid support, including Vehicle to Grid Technology. Discussing the importance of energy storage in grids with renewables and the potential of EV batteries for grid support.
Electric school buses with Vehicle to Grid technology provide energy storage and grid support.
V2G programs have potential for widespread adoption in various vehicle fleets, despite battery life concerns.
Deep dives
Electric School Buses Revolutionizing Grid Energy Storage
In a groundbreaking initiative, 74 electric school buses equipped with Vehicle to Grid Technology (V to G) are being utilized to revolutionize energy storage on the grid. These buses, operated by a startup called ZUM, not only transport special needs students in a quiet and clean manner but also serve as an innovative solution to store and provide surplus energy back to the grid. With their predictable daily schedules and large batteries, the buses strategically charge during peak solar energy hours and discharge to the grid during high demand times, offering a reliable and efficient energy management system.
Economic and Environmental Implications of Electric Bus Adoption
Adopting electric buses, although initially costly for school districts, holds significant economic and environmental benefits. The excess battery power from these buses participating in V to G programs can be traded back to the grid during peak hours, offsetting the cost difference with traditional diesel buses. Collaboration between organizations such as ZUM and local utilities like Pacific Gas and Electric in piloting V to G systems demonstrates a tangible way to scale up this initiative and make a substantial environmental impact.
Scaling V2G Across Diverse Vehicle Fleets
The concept of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) extends beyond electric buses and holds potential for a wide range of vehicles, including passenger cars, delivery vehicles, and various fleets operated by city governments and businesses. Although the additional charging and discharging may impact battery life, the decreasing cost of batteries and potential revenue from V2G can offset these concerns. As V2G programs mature, different regions will establish varying rates for buying back electricity, emphasizing the importance of incentivizing widespread participation to maximize the efficiency and impact of energy storage systems.
Loaded with ever more renewables, the grid will need to store a whole lot of energy. Enter: a new kind of magic school bus—one that can both charge and give power back.