Illinois Tests Electric School Buses as Power Grid Backup
▼ Summary
– ComEd is launching a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) electric school bus charging pilot with three Illinois school districts to test bidirectional chargers.
– The pilot, the first of its kind in northern Illinois, began testing in September to coincide with the start of the school year.
– Testing involves collecting data from bidirectional chargers to determine how buses can best transfer energy to the grid when parked and plugged in.
– ComEd is seeking input from additional school districts to understand their interest and support needs for future V2G programs.
– Bidirectional charging aims to reduce grid demand during peak hours, lower customer costs, and provide funding to participating school districts.
Illinois is launching a groundbreaking initiative that uses electric school buses as mobile power storage units, potentially transforming how energy is managed across the state. The program explores vehicle-to-grid technology, allowing buses to send electricity back to the power system during high-demand periods. This approach could lower operational costs for schools, reduce strain on the electrical grid, and provide a new revenue stream for participating districts.
Commonwealth Edison, the state’s primary electric utility, recently began the testing phase of this innovative pilot in collaboration with three school districts in the Chicago area. River Trails, Troy, and Wauconda school districts, each with over two years of experience operating electric buses, are taking part in the study. The utility is gathering performance data from bidirectional chargers, specialized equipment that enables energy to flow both to and from the bus batteries.
Cristina Botero, who leads beneficial electrification initiatives at ComEd, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project. She noted that input is being collected not only from the three pilot districts but also from other schools interested in future vehicle-to-grid opportunities. This feedback will help shape upcoming research efforts and could lead to new program designs that meet the specific needs of educational institutions.
The potential advantages of this bidirectional charging system are considerable. By discharging power during times of peak electricity use, the buses can help balance grid demand, which may lead to lower energy costs for consumers. School districts involved in the program could also receive financial benefits, creating a sustainable model that supports both clean transportation and reliable energy infrastructure. ComEd’s long-term vision includes a scalable framework that other Illinois districts can adopt as the technology proves its value.
(Source: Ars Technica)