ComEd Launches Testing Phase of Pioneering Vehicle-to-Grid Pilot with Illinois School Districts
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) has officially entered the testing phase of its groundbreaking vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging pilot, marking the first initiative of its kind in northern Illinois. The program, launched in partnership with three local school districts, explores how electric school buses can serve not only as transportation for students but also as mobile energy storage systems that feed power back into the grid when it is most needed.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in the evolution of clean energy technology, creating new pathways for schools, communities, and utilities to reduce emissions, cut costs, and enhance the resilience of the electric grid.
Vehicle-to-Grid: A New Frontier in Clean Energy
Vehicle-to-grid technology, often referred to as V2G, allows electric vehicles to function as two-way energy assets. Unlike traditional charging systems, which only draw power from the grid, V2G-enabled systems allow stored energy in EV batteries to be discharged back to the grid. For institutions like schools that operate fleets of buses with predictable usage patterns, the potential benefits are substantial.
During peak school hours, buses transport students, but outside of those times, they remain idle—sometimes for long stretches. With V2G, these parked buses become energy reservoirs. They can release power back into the grid during peak demand periods, when energy prices are higher and grid stability is most at risk. In turn, schools may be able to offset operational costs, lower electricity bills, and contribute to statewide clean energy goals.
“V2G is the next frontier in our work to develop clean energy programs that support our customers in lowering emissions and costs, while also finding strategies to strengthen and support the grid to accommodate growing power demand,” explained Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and External Affairs at ComEd. “Working in partnership with local school districts and our vendors, our latest pilot will help expand the cost-saving and environmental benefits of electric buses while testing ways to make energy storage scalable to support growing needs of our communities.
Partnering with Schools to Test Bidirectional Charging
The pilot’s initial testing phase is being carried out with River Trails School District 26, Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C, and Wauconda Community Unit School District 118. Each district already operates electric school buses and V2G-capable chargers, making them ideal candidates for this research initiative.
ComEd and its partners are collecting and analyzing real-time data from these buses and chargers. The findings will help determine whether discharging stored energy back into the grid can be done safely, effectively, and in a way that benefits both schools and the larger energy system.
For schools, the implications could be far-reaching. Beyond lowering their own energy costs, districts could help stabilize grid operations during periods of high demand—such as hot summer afternoons or cold winter mornings—while showcasing their commitment to sustainability.
Rick Strauss, Director of Transportation for Wauconda CUSD 118, reflected on his district’s experience with electric buses:
“As one of the early adopters of electric buses in Illinois, we’ve faced our share of challenges over the past three years. We’re hopeful that, with the continued support of the ComEd and Nuvve teams, we are finally turning a corner toward realizing the full potential of our electric bus program.”
Similarly, Troy CCSD 30-C emphasized the broader educational and community value of the project. “Our district is committed to pursuing sustainable solutions that enhance student learning and transportation while safeguarding taxpayer resources,” said Ben Hettel, Executive Director of Operations. “By helping advance vehicle-to-grid technology, we are investing in strategies that will deliver long-term benefits for our district and the stakeholders we serve.
Part of a Larger Beneficial Electrification Strategy
The V2G pilot is not a standalone effort but part of ComEd’s wider Beneficial Electrification (BE) Plan, a multiyear strategy designed to support Illinois’ clean energy transition. The plan was approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission in 2023 under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which set ambitious targets, including placing one million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030.
As part of the BE Plan, ComEd has committed to piloting new technologies, providing financial incentives for EV adoption, and expanding charging infrastructure across the state. The V2G pilot is one of eight active pilots under the plan and is supported under ComEd’s BE Research and Development Program for 2026–2028.
The plan has already had a measurable impact: ComEd has helped support EV and charging projects in over 340 Illinois zip codes and has issued rebates that offset the purchase or lease of more than 1,800 fleet EVs. Of these, nearly 1,500 are medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, including school buses—demonstrating the central role school districts play in advancing clean transportation.
Technology Partners and Collaboration
The testing effort is made possible through collaboration with Resource Innovations and Nuvve, a global leader in V2G solutions. Both organizations bring technical expertise and experience to the project.
Hamza Lemsaddek, Chief Operating Officer of Fermata Energy—a Nuvve company—highlighted the larger potential of the initiative:
“Together with River Trails, Troy, and Wauconda school districts, we are showing how electric school buses can lower operating costs for schools, provide real support to the grid during peak demand, and create a scalable model for communities across Illinois. Looking ahead, we see applications that extend beyond school fleets to other customer segments, turning parked EVs into flexible, reliable energy resources.”
Resource Innovations, which provides engineering and advisory services, plays a critical role in ensuring the technology delivers measurable benefits. Chris Crockett, Principal of Transportation Electrification at Resource Innovations, emphasized their unbiased approach:
“Electric school buses provide many benefits, but our team approaches this pilot with the unbiased lens needed to ensure V2G technology is providing the benefits we believe it will. We won’t be satisfied unless this technology is a win-win for everyone.
Expanding Community Engagement
ComEd recognizes that widespread adoption of V2G will depend on building trust and awareness among stakeholders. To that end, the utility is inviting additional Illinois school districts to share their experiences and express interest in future V2G studies through an official interest form.
As the pilot progresses, ComEd plans to host informational webinars, surveys, and outreach events to explain the technology, share early results, and highlight the economic and environmental benefits. The utility also recently launched a dedicated educational webpage for schools considering electrification, providing free fleet assessments and capacity evaluations to simplify the transition.
A Vision for the Future
While still in its early stages, the V2G pilot has the potential to transform how communities view electric transportation. Instead of simply replacing diesel buses with cleaner alternatives, schools may soon find themselves at the forefront of energy innovation—helping power neighborhoods, reduce grid stress, and lead by example in the fight against climate change.
By aligning technology, policy, and partnerships, ComEd’s initiative demonstrates how utilities can play a pivotal role in unlocking the full potential of electrified transportation. If successful, the model tested in River Trails, Troy, and Wauconda could be replicated across Illinois and beyond, creating a blueprint for other regions seeking to integrate renewable energy and distributed storage into their grids.
