Ride Zum Oakland Depot Tour: EV School Bus Fleet with V2G

IEEE SF & OEB PES will tour Ride Zum for PES Day for a unique opportunity to witness the groundbreaking integration of electric school buses with grid support technology. We will observe firsthand how their innovative fleet functions as a dual-purpose system—providing reliable student transportation while simultaneously serving as a distributed battery network that strengthens grid resilience during peak demand periods.
The Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology implemented by Ride Zum represents an engineering milestone, allowing buses to charge during low-tariff hours and discharge stored energy back to the grid when most needed, all without compromising school operations. This visit allows us to explore critical aspects including infrastructure readiness challenges, multi-stakeholder coordination between school districts and utility companies, and the practical hurdles overcome by early adopters in this space.
The environmental benefits are substantial: reduced emissions improving community air quality, decreased fossil fuel dependence, and enhanced grid stability that accommodates more renewable energy sources. By showcasing this pioneering approach to transportation electrification, we gain valuable insights into practical applications that support both Earth Day's environmental protection goals and IEEE PES Day 2025's focus on innovative power engineering solutions for a sustainable future.
AGENDA:
11:30am-1pm Lunch (TBD at a nearby location)
1:30-3:30pm Ride Zum Tour (more detailed agenda will be sent to registered and cleared attendees)
Registration is due by April 10th. Ride Zum reserves the right of final approval of the list of registered attendees, their titles and organizations they represent (outside of IEEE) as part of the clearance check required for this facility. Emails will be sent to all registered attendees to confirm approval and with more detailed agenda and location.
Speaker(s): Dr. Pallav Prakash,
Oakland, California, United States