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ICTD 2025

Sustainable Transportation

POSTER RECEPTION (View list of posters here)

Microgrids :Path for sustainable and reliable future of transit agencies

Tuesday, June 10, 2025
4:45 PM – 6:00 PM MT
Abstract: Microgrids: A Path For Sustainable Solutions for Transit Agencies – Analyzing the Performance of ATN Microgrid and EVSE at Anaheim Transit Network

The transit industry is shifting rapidly towards electrification, with over 5,480 zero-emission buses (ZEBs) funded, ordered, or deployed in the United States as of September 2022. While ZEB adoption has expanded substantially, it also presents technical challenges related to charging infrastructure and the high power demands required at transit sites. Electric buses consume significant electricity and place substantial strain on the grid, raising concerns about energy resilience. Although the U.S. grid is generally reliable, extreme weather, natural disasters, and other emergencies can cause extended outages, potentially disrupting charging and compromising transit service continuity.

To address these challenges, many transit agencies are considering microgrids as a sustainable solution for bus charging infrastructure. Typically incorporating solar panels, battery storage, and sometimes backup generators, microgrids can improve energy resilience. With support from the California Energy Commission, the Anaheim Transportation Network deployed a microgrid that is now fully built, commissioned, and operational. CALSTART is gathering performance data from the system, which includes smart chargers, batteries, buses, and utility interactions. This presentation will share insights on the microgrid’s performance, backed by real-world data, and discuss key lessons learned for sustainable transit electrification.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:
  • Understand Microgrid Interoperability: Attendees will gain insights into how microgrids integrate with Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to support seamless charging operations and ensure reliability in transit electrification.
  • Explore Load Management Techniques: Participants will learn how microgrid systems manage variable loads from transit buses, optimizing energy use to maintain consistent power delivery without overburdening the grid.
  • Analyze Demand Response Capabilities: Participants will learn how microgrids enable demand response markets, allowing transit agencies to reduce costs and improve grid stability by adjusting usage during peak demand periods.
  • Evaluate System Resilience and Reliability: Attendees will understand how microgrids enhance energy resilience, reducing vulnerability to grid outages through distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar and battery storage.
  • Key Performance Metrics: The session will highlight critical metrics collected from the ATN microgrid, helping attendees assess system performance, scalability, and the benefits of real-time data in optimizing transit operations.