Snoqualmie Valley School Buses to Help Power the Grid in PSEs New Energy Partnership

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is collaborating with Snoqualmie Valley and Olympia School Districts to convert electric school buses into mobile power stations. This initiative, partially funded by a $612,000 grant from the Washington Department of Commerce, aims to provide grid services during peak energy demand. Buses can send power back to the grid when not transporting students, significantly benefiting the community and reducing operational costs for schools. PSE's Chief Customer and Transformation Officer emphasized the project's importance in transforming energy service delivery. The Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology will be operational in time for the 2025-2026 school year, with fast chargers installed at district depots.

This project is supported by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, which focuses on reducing climate pollution and improving public health. The initiative also serves as an educational tool for students, demonstrating the intersection of innovation and sustainability. Schools expect cleaner and quieter transportation while contributing to a more resilient energy future.