The roll-out of zero emission buses across New South Wales will be supported by the worlds’ first trial of ‘smart charging technology’ in Western Sydney.
The technology will aim to optimise the charging of electric buses and reduce strain on the power grid.
It uses software tools and real-time energy monitoring to connect a bus depot to the energy provider’s network, meaning the amount of power used to charge the vehicles can be controlled, depending on the volume of power available on the grid.
This means the new buses can be charged outside periods of peak demand and smooth out the load on the network.
A partnership between Transport for NSW, bus operator Busways, Australian software and advisory company Evenergi and Western Sydney energy distributor Endeavour Energy is responsible for the technology’s development.
The system will support a bus depot in Penrith to power an entire electric fleet.
Penrith will not only be the first area to benefit from this technology, but also the first to order and receive locally made zero emission buses. These six electric buses are being made in Western Sydney at the Custom Denning factory.
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the transition to electric buses is powering jobs in industries across NSW.
“The NSW Government’s commitment to transition our fleet of over 8000 buses to zero emission technology is supporting local jobs in tech, manufacturing and construction, as well as delivering buses that are better for the environment, offer a smoother ride and are quieter on our roads,” Elliott said.
Evenergi CEO, Daniel Hilson said the company was proud to unveil the trial.
“We work with bus operators, distribution networks, and transit authorities globally and have seen some common themes emerging with opportunities to unlock value from the energy market while reducing the impact on the grid,” Hilson said.
Endeavour Energy’s Chief Customer & Strategy Officer Leanne Pickering said the system will aim to future-proof the network.
“This leads to greater utilisation of the electricity network and avoids the need for costly upgrades, keeping downward pressure on the price of electricity for all customers both now and into the future,” Pickering said.
In NSW, diesel and compressed natural gas buses make up almost half of Transport for NSW’s direct carbon emissions. The transition to an electric fleet will support the New South Wales Government’s efforts to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
A total of 89 Battery Electric Buses have been ordered to arrive by mid-2022, with 22 of these now in passenger service across Greater Sydney.
For more information on the zero-emission bus strategy, click here.
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