Microgrid Opportunities: Vehicles Enhancing Resiliency (MOVER)

Guideline / July 11, 2024 / Building Innovation

Resiliency has become a higher priority for communities as natural disasters such as wildfires and storms are impacting energy systems and human health with increasing severity and frequency. MOVER is a first-of-its-kind pilot project that seeks to demonstrate, refine, and disseminate a nationally replicable model for vehicle-to-building electricity optimization coupled with resilience and grid services. Electric school buses and light duty fleet vehicles will be used as resiliency and grid support resources for the Hood River County School District (HRCSD) by installing bi-directional vehicle chargers in concert with a microgrid, building system controls, and onsite photovoltaics (PV), starting with Wy’East Middle School. In the event of a power outage, the microgrid controller can safely island the building. The building can then be self-sustaining by drawing power from onsite energy sources that include PV and vehicle batteries. A resource based on this pilot project will be created with what we learn and shared here so that others can learn about creating a microgrid that can use electric vehicles as a power source.

This demonstration project offers a novel approach to maximize community benefits while decarbonizing vehicle fleets. Electrified school bus fleets are an innovative and nationally scalable solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants with the added possibility of powering schools in case of prolonged grid outages, allowing them to serve as community resiliency centers. The innovative vehicle-to-building technology fits into a holistic clean energy transformation, enhancing the building’s load flexibility to minimize energy costs and maximize renewable energy consumption.

The project will bring multiple benefits to the community, including cleaner air, power during grid outages, and learning opportunities for students. The project has received funding from local and national grants, so the school district is not contributing financially.


Project Goals for MOVER

Beginning to electrify Hood River County School District’s (HRCSD) bus fleet

  • Purchasing electric school buses to reduce costs and pollution
  • Train staff on electric school buses
  • Install level 2 EV chargers at three locations (which charge faster than level 1)

Installing solar panels, battery storage and creating an onsite microgrid at Wy’East Middle School

  • Generate clean energy and lowering utility bills
  • Create a safe place for the community during grid outages

Developing student engagement activities

  • Initial plans include three student engagement activities over 2 years
  • A student cohort through AVID (Advancement Via individual determination)

Creating a guide for project replication guidance

  • We will take lessons learned from this project to develop guidance for other schools and communities across the country

Project Technologies

1) Electric school buses
2) Vehicle chargers
3) Solar panels
4) Batteries

These technologies will come together to create a microgrid. Constructing the microgrid will mean the gym can have power when the grid goes down. District staff can drive the electric school bus to the gym and plug it in to provide extra power, giving the microgrid power for a longer period

Microgrid: A local electrical grid that can operate independently of the broader electricity grid.

Starting in the top row, this is what it looks like at Wy’East middle school today. Power flows from the power lines to the school and other buildings (top left). When power goes out (top right) due to grid issues, emergencies, wildfire, etc., the school is without power. In the bottom row we see the future plan. The gym will include access to energy generated from solar panels, a battery, and an electric school bus (bottom left panel). When the sun is shining, the solar panels charge the battery and the battery can help power the school gymnasium. Extra power goes back onto the grid to provide clean electricity to the community. Then, when the power goes out (bottom right panel), the solar panels, battery, and school bus (not pictured) can provide power to the gym for multiple hours so the students and community have a safe place to gather, power electronics, and stay warm (or cool) until power is restored on the grid.

Project Timeline

October 2023 – October 2026
2024: Community engagement, emerging technology analysis, design proposals, and equipment purchases
2025: Installation, testing, staff training, and student education
2026-2027: Operation, study, student education, publishing results and recommendations


Recent Updates

  • The MOVER team received word in September 2024 that we were awarded an Oregon Department of Energy Community Renewable Energy Project Grant. This will complete the funding to allow completion of the envisioned microgrid + solar.
  • The MOVER project received its first vehicle for HRCSD, a Ford E-transit passenger van. It was delivered on July 25,2024.
  • MOVER is a featured project in the webinar Using Electric Vehicles to Enhance Building Resilience. (7/10/2024)
  • The EPA awarded funding for two electric school buses for HRCSD. (5/29/2024)
  • A community information meeting and feedback session was held in Hood River. (4/3/2024)

In the News

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We have immense gratitude for our multitude of incredible partners on this project, they include…

Hood River County School District (HRCSD)

Wy’east Middle School

Mid-Columbia Economic Development District

Hood River County Energy Council

Hood River County Emergency Management District

Pacific Power

Department of Energy

PAE Engineers

Forth

Electric School Bus Newsletter

Gradient Xergy

Columbia Willamette Clean Cities Coalition

Bonneville Environmental Foundation

KPFF Structural

Oregon Clean Power Coop