ComEd starts testing phase of its vehicle-to-grid charging pilot with local school districts
ComEd, a utility company based in Illinois, US, has started testing its vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging scheme in three Illinois school districts. The pilot scheme is the first of its kind in northern Illinois and aims to evaluate the technology that could enable bidirectional charging for electric school buses.
ComEd began testing the scheme with River Trails, Troy and Wauconda school districts. It will use data collected from the pilot to examine technology that could lead to the possibility of discharging energy stored in electric school buses safely and effectively.
“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,” explains Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and External Affairs for 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.”
The V2G pilot is part of ComEd’s Beneficial Electrification Plan, which includes seven other pilots and delivers on a requirement set by the state of Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which aims to have 1 million EVs on the road by 2030.
ComEd says it is seeking input from other Illinois school districts to better understand how future V2G opportunities could support their needs. As the pilot scheme progresses, it plans to host informational webinars and surveys to explain the technology to other interested parties.
"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,” says Rick Strauss, Director of Transportation at Wauconda CUSD 118.
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The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
