Oklahoma researchers turn electric school buses into tools for grid resilience

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

As extreme weather increasingly threatens power systems across the country, Oklahoma researchers are developing new strategies to use electric school buses as flexible energy assets that support communities during grid disruptions. 

This research is a statewide collaboration led by the University of Oklahoma that includes researchers from Oklahoma State University’s College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology; Oklahoma Gas and Electric; Shawnee Public Schools and regional planning partners. The project is supported through the National Science Foundation’s CIVIC 3.0 program, which emphasizes community-prioritized research through phased implementation. 

Dr. Hamid Nazaripouya, assistant professor for the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Dr. Ardeshir Moftakhari, assistant professor for the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, have joined forces on this multidisciplinary effort to study how electric school buses can serve as distributed energy assets during severe weather and infrastructure disruptions. 

Nazaripouya is an expert in power grid modernization and Moftakhari’s expertise lies in energy systems design and efficiency. Together, their work strengthens the project's technical foundation.  

“Electric school buses are already public assets that spend long periods parked,” Nazaripouya said. “That makes them uniquely positioned to support the power grid when it matters most.” 

Shawnee Public Schools began transitioning to electric school buses to reduce operating costs. During the 2024-2025 school year alone, the district saved more than $40,000 in fuel costs, in addition to reduced maintenance expenses. The shift also aligned with a long-standing limited-idling policy adopted to reduce diesel pollution and protect student health. 

Once the buses were on the road, the district began noticing additional benefits. Drivers reported improved student behavior on electric buses compared to diesel models, with nearly 50% reduction in reported behavioral incidents on routes that switched to electric between the 2022-2023 and 2024-2025 school years. The quieter ride has also helped students with sensory sensitivities feel more comfortable returning to bus transportation. 

But it was the destructive 2023 tornado that revealed the buses’ potential beyond transportation. 

“When the power went out, we lost about $18,000 worth of food because our freezers shut down,” said John Wiles, transportation director for Shawnee Public School. “That was a turning point. We started asking how these buses could help us during emergencies.” 

At the center of the research is vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which allows electric vehicles to both draw power from the grid and send energy back when needed. Equipped with bidirectional charges, electric school buses can function as mobile energy storage units, supplying backup power to critical facilities during outages or reducing strain on the grid during peak demand.  

The OSU team is developing predictive energy management systems that determine when buses should charge or discharge based on grid conditions, weather forecasts and transportation schedules. The research also evaluates system performance, battery durability and operational reliability under real-world conditions.  

“We are focused on making this practical,” Moftakhari said. “The goal is not just technical feasibility, but solutions that school districts and utilities can realistically adopt.” 

A Community Advisory Board made up of school representatives, utility professionals and civic leaders helps guide the project to ensure technical decisions align with local needs and operational realities.  

By leveraging existing public-sector assets rather than requiring major new infrastructure investments, the project demonstrates how communities can improve preparedness for power disruptions in a cost-effective way. The research is expected to inform future deployments across Oklahoma and beyond — offering new operational models for school transportation fleets and evidence-based approaches to energy planning. 

The work also creates hands-on learning opportunities for students — from classroom activities to internships with local partners — helping build a skilled workforce in renewable energy and electrified transportation. 

“This project shows what’s possible when engineering innovation is grounded in real community needs,” Nazaripouya said. “Our goal is to help communities become more resilient using the resources they already have.” 

By advancing applied research that strengthens communities and prepares students to solve real-world challenges, this effort reflects the spirit of The Cowboy Code. Through innovation, collaboration and service, CEAT researchers are answering the call to build a more resilient future for Oklahoma and beyond.