SCC-CIVIC-PG Track A: Enhancing Oklahoma Community Climate Resilience Through Electric School Bus Integration into Local Energy Grids

Oklahoma faces frequent extreme weather events like tornadoes and storms, disrupting the state's energy grid. This project seeks to enhance community resilience against climate and environmental instabilities by integrating the Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology equipped with electric school buses (ESBs) into Oklahoma energy grids. V2G technology allows these ESBs to supply power back to the grid, offering a sustainable energy solution.

This initiative aims to flip the community-university dynamic and empower civic partners to co-design a research-to-innovation solution to improving grid stability during emergencies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote public health. By showcasing the benefits of V2G in a real-world setting, the project could serve as a model for other regions.

This work aligns with NSF’s mission to promote the progress of science by investing in research to expand knowledge in science, engineering and education. This work is not only critical for addressing immediate climate-related challenges but also for building a resilient and sustainable future for communities.

The project will integrate V2G-equipped electric school buses (ESBs) into Oklahoma’s energy grid to enhance community resilience to climate disasters such as tornados and storms. In Stage 1, a Community Advisory Board (CAB) with stakeholders from Public Schools, Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments, Indian Nations Council of Governments, City of Oklahoma City, ESB Manufacturers and other community partners will co-design the research plan, set goals, and refine research questions.

Preliminary testing and data collection will be conducted to understand community needs and technical requirements. In Stage 2, field tests and simulations will assess the effectiveness of V2G technology during power outages and peak demand. The project will analyze economic and environmental benefits, including cost savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and develop a decision-making support platform for policymakers.

By leveraging civic partners’ expertise, the project aims to create a scalable model for community resilience through innovative energy solutions.

This project is in response to the Civic Innovation Challenge program’s Track A. Climate and Environmental Instability - Building Resilient Communities through Co-Design, Adaption, and Mitigation and is a collaboration between NSF, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Energy.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.