TL/DR –
Oakland is trading their noisy pollution puffing buses for some sleek and silent electric beauties, giving special-needs students a VIP ride, and the earth a much-needed breather. But these buses are no one-trick ponies! They’re packing vehicle-to-grid tech, so they charge up with solar power, and when everyone’s home binging Netflix, they feed power back into the grid. It’s like your school ride got an upgrade and became an environmental superhero! We’re talking energy storage solutions, cleaner air, and making money from selling power back to the grid, I mean, can you say triple threat?
Greening School Buses: A New Wave in Renewable Energy
Iconic yellow school buses are ubiquitous across the US, but their eco-impact isn’t praiseworthy. They’re often seen idling, contributing to noise and fossil-fuel pollution, notably in underserved neighborhoods with poor air quality. This is changing in cities like Oakland, California, where Oakland Unified School District is rolling out 74 electric buses run by Zum, giving 1,300 special-needs students a cleaner, quieter ride.
Double Whammy: Two-Way Energy Flow
These buses are a greener alternative to traditional diesel models, loaded with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. They can charge and return power to the electrical grid, playing a crucial role in the broader push toward renewable energy. V2G tech is key to managing energy storage as we transition from fossil fuels to renewables.
Renewable sources like solar power are abundant during the day but reduce in the evening when electricity demand spikes. One approach to manage this is centralized battery banks. EVs with V2G capability can discharge power back to the grid, helping to balance supply and demand.
The Potential of V2G
The International Energy Agency (IEA) lays out different scenarios for energy storage capacity by 2030. Research company BloombergNEF (BNEF) projects that energy storage installations worldwide will reach a cumulative 411 GW by the end of 2030, approximately 15x the storage capacity that was online at the end of 2021. This highlights the crucial role energy storage will play in meeting global energy needs and the transition to cleaner energy sources.
School buses are particularly well-suited for V2G. Patricia Hidalgo-Gonzalez, director of the Renewable Energy and Advanced Mathematics Lab at UC San Diego, notes, “Having that clarity on what the transportation needs are makes it much easier for the grid to know when they can use that asset.”
Zum’s Electric Buses: The Role of Schedules and Funding
Zum’s electric buses follow a predictable schedule – they can charge using abundant solar power during school hours. In the late afternoon and evening, when grid demand peaks, they can discharge surplus power into the system. The economic feasibility of this transition to electric buses is bolstered by the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which allocates $5 billion from 2022 to 2026 to replace diesel buses with zero-emission and low-emission models.
Zum’s collaboration with Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is crucial to this initiative. PG&E is piloting a dynamic rate system where V2G participants are compensated for the energy they provide based on real-time supply and demand.
Expanding V2G Beyond School Buses
The potential of V2G extends beyond school buses. Passenger cars, delivery vehicles, and other fleet vehicles can also participate, offering diverse sources of energy storage and discharge at different times. This widespread adoption could significantly stabilize the grid, particularly as battery technology continues to improve and costs decline.
To realize the full potential of V2G, substantial participation from EV owners and fleet operators is crucial. Proper incentives and supportive regulations will be essential to encourage this transition.
Original Story at www.environmentenergyleader.com
