Electric School Buses Now Powering Washington State Grid
SEATTLE – Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is pioneering a new approach to energy management in Western Washington with the completion of five vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging systems at the Olympia and Snoqualmie Valley School Districts. These innovative charging stations allow electric school buses to not only recharge, but also send energy back to the power grid when not in use, bolstering reliability and supporting cleaner energy initiatives.
During peak demand times,and crucially,during emergencies,PSE can utilize the buses as mobile power sources. this represents a first for both PSE’s service area and the state of Washington.
“These aren’t just cleaner rides for students – they’re mobile power sources strengthening the electrical grid outside of school hours,” explained Aaron August, PSE Chief Customer and Conversion Officer. “When buses finish transporting children for the day, they become community assets, feeding energy back into the system.”
The Olympia School District has expanded its electric bus fleet with five new vehicles, alongside the installation of five V2G charging stations provided by Nuvve. This project,along with the installation in snoqualmie Valley,represents a $612,000 investment by PSE,matched by a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Clean Energy Community Grants program.
Jennifer Grove, Assistant Director of the Energy Division at Washington’s DOC, highlighted the broader benefits: “Our schools are leading the way in getting ready for a future with cleaner energy. By using electric buses and smart grid technology, we can cut down on pollution, make our communities stronger, and save money on energy bills for schools.”
The transition to electric school buses equipped with V2G technology promises to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, transforming school transportation from an environmental concern into a valuable asset for a enduring future. PSE now has approximately 26 electric school buses operating within its service area, marking a ample step towards grid modernization and emissions reduction throughout the region.
