Illinois utility tries using electric school buses for bidirectional charging

In an innovative move, Illinois' largest electric utility is launching a groundbreaking pilot program that utilizes electric school buses for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging. This initiative involves three school districts in the Chicagoland area and aims to explore how bidirectional chargers can lower energy costs for consumers and alleviate pressure on the power grid. Commonwealth Edison Co. (ComEd) announced in September the commencement of this unique V2G electric school bus charging project, marking a first for northern Illinois. As the school year begins, the utility is collaborating with the River Trails, Troy, and Wauconda school districts, all of which have been operating electric buses for over two years. The focus of the pilot is on collecting data from bidirectional chargers, which enable energy to flow both to and from electric vehicles. ComEd is investigating the most effective ways for these chargers and buses to share energy when parked and connected to the grid. Cristina Botero, ComEd's senior manager for beneficial electrification, emphasized the collaborative nature of the project: "We are not only working closely with these three districts but also gathering insights from additional schools to gauge their interest in V2G technology. This will inform our future research and development initiatives and potential new programs." The utility highlights several potential advantages of bidirectional charging, including a reduction in peak hour grid demand, cost savings for customers, and financial support for participating school districts. Botero expressed hopes for a scalable V2G model that could eventually be adopted by other districts across Illinois, paving the way for broader energy efficiency in the state.