The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) has unveiled a new Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) energy project in California's Central Valley to power Fresno EOC's operations and electrify its fleet of vehicles. The green project will also help improve local air quality, reduce Fresno EOC's operational costs, and benefit the community by supplying additional clean energy to the grid during peak hours.
“As a community action agency, Fresno EOC is leading the way in creating a more sustainable operation for our organization to create a better environment for our local Fresno residents. Everyone should have access to green resources, [but] due to costs, it is a barrier for many. This is the first step we are taking to electrify our operations and improve our footprint in the Valley,” said Emilia Reyes, Fresno EOC CEO.
To help bring the energy project to life, Fresno EOC successfully secured grant funding from the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, which covered the majority of the $16 million project. In addition, the organization has partnered with Nuvve, a transportation electrification technology company, to complete the project.
The project will be constructed at Fresno EOC's Transit and Food Service campus in Fresno, California. The three-acre energy project will include a solar farm, multiple solar canopies, and 56 charging stations. It will also utilize V2G technology as it transitions its gas vehicles into a 50-shuttle electric fleet.
“Fresno endures poor air quality due to tailpipe emissions from the Los Angeles basin and gas-fired power plants,” said Nuvve co-founder and CEO Gregory Poilasne. “With the adoption of our cutting-edge electric vehicle software and infrastructure, this electrification project can serve as a model approach for modern, efficient, and eco-friendly public transportation with an economic benefit to the community.”
Once construction begins, the project will take approximately two years to complete. Fresno EOC's workforce and training program will also receive educational opportunities on clean energy and solar projects to drive industry knowledge and ensure successful project management.
