The Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission (Fresno EOC) is starting a new energy project in the Central Valley to make the community more sustainable and innovative. This project, called Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), is a big step forward for Fresno.
Fresno EOC is working with a global tech company called Nuvve to make this project happen. They will build a solar farm, install solar canopies, and set up 56 charging stations at the Transit and Food Service campus in West Central Fresno. Gregory Poilasne, CEO and co-founder of Nuvve, explained that this project will save money and make money. “We can reduce the cost of charging electric cars by up to 50% and generate revenue when the cars are parked, which is most of the time. That revenue can be two times the cost of charging the electric vehicles.”
Fresno EOC will also change its gas-powered vehicles to electric ones, which will help reduce pollution and improve air quality. This change is good for the environment and the community.
“This project is giving us more jobs, 100% here local, and also training our workforce on this innovative skillset,” said Fresno EOC CEO Emilia Reyes. This means that more people in the community will get jobs and learn new skills related to clean energy.
The energy from this project will help Fresno EOC continue to support people in need. For example, it will power the kitchen that makes 5,000 to 7,000 meals every day for those who need them.
“This project is about more than just improving infrastructure and air quality, and supplying additional electricity,” Reyes said. “It’s really looking at the person, the families, and the future generations to come. That right there is why we do this work.”
The V2G project has started, and it is a big celebration for a cleaner and more sustainable Fresno County. The project is expected to be finished in about two years and will be a great example for other communities to follow.