More and more electric buses are rolling on the streets of Sweden. And Västerås is no exception. But at the same time, the power grid is strained. Therefore, a new project is being tested at Svealandstrafiken's bus depot.
A container will be filled with 80 batteries, which the bus company will then charge and use again. In this way, the local charging capacity can be increased. At the same time, the batteries can be used to contribute to a more stable electricity grid – as the batteries can act as a reserve when needed.
"When needed, we can discharge the batteries to balance the frequency in the grid. Then we can do some kind of community service, but we also get paid from Svenska kraftnät to help. So it will be a win-win," says Geert Schaap, Head of Technology and Innovation at Svelandstrafiken.
Want to become self-sufficient
The pilot plant in Västerås is the first of its kind at a bus depot in Sweden. The idea is to introduce similar energy storage on a larger scale. Then combined with solar cells when the new bus depot will be built in Västerås in 2029.
"Then you can charge with solar power during the day and then charge a number of buses at night from it," says Geert Schaap.