A conceptual illustration of the vehicle-to-grid platform being built by the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission and Nuvve. Image contributed

There was a groundbreaking Tuesday morning for a first-of-its-kind energy project in the Central Valley.

The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC) unveiled an energy project in West Central Fresno that will allow them to power their operations and electrify its fleet of vehicles.

The aim of the project is to improve air quality, reduce operational costs, and supply additional electricity to the grid during peak hours.

Fresno EOC has partnered with Nuvve for the project, a global technology leader accelerating the electrification of transportation with its proprietary vehicle-to-grid (V2G) platform.

V2G refers to a smart charging system that allows electric car batteries to not only store power from the grid but also send power to the grid.

 

The project includes a three-acre solar farm, solar canopies, and 56 charging stations.

The Fresno EOC will use the vehicle-to-grid technology as it transitions its gas vehicles into a 50-shuttle electrical fleet.

Four on-site batteries will help Fresno EOC power its kitchen and transit operations, reduce emissions, lower energy costs and enhance grid services for the community, especially when there is a greater need for power.

The project is expected to be completed in 18-24 months and 80% of the workforce will be hired from the local community.

“As a community action agency, we are leading the way in creating a more sustainable operation for our organization to create a better environment for our community and local Fresno residents,” said Emilia Reyes, Fresno EOC CEO.

Fresno EOC Board of Commissioner Chair Oliver Baines said this is the first V2G project in Fresno.

“We are becoming an energy supplier,” Baines said. “We are bringing new technology. Nuvve has offered curriculum so that are students in Fresno and in the EOC will learn and understand the new technology.”

The Fresno EOC secured grant funding through the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards Attainment Program, which paid for most of the $16 million project.

Nuvve Co-founder and CEO Gregory Polisane said that the main purpose of the project is to provide needed energy resiliency for the grid.

The capacity for the project will be 2.6 megawatt of solar generation and 1.6 megawatt hours of battery storage.

Nuvve said that the Fresno area is underserved and suffering from poor air quality, making clean transportation essential.

“Clean transportation cannot happen without any way of controlling the cost of the grids that are otherwise going to be required,” Polisane said.

Talks for the projects between Nuvve and Fresno EOC started began about two years ago, but he said they are all excited about the future of the project.