While permanent power restorations can take time, the federal government is assessing a stop-gap measure that would use hybrid, electric and fuel cell-powered buses to serve as mobile power generators in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
On Tuesday, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) released a $1 million Notice of Funding Opportunity seeking proposals to develop standards for the new Bus Exportable Power Systems program, which will use buses to provide power to local communities, emergency shelters and hospitals following a natural disaster.
"Communities and states often need options for generating power immediately after natural disasters," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "Under this program, we will advance the development of standards for exportable power systems, so that communities can take advantage of the power stored by high-tech transit buses to keep the lights on during natural disasters and other emergencies."
Previous research conducted by the FTA has shown that hybrid, electric and fuel cell-powered buses can be successfully used as mobile power generators.
This Notice of Funding Opportunity is looking for an organization or partnership to develop "interoperable national standards for power generation," which would allow transit agencies across the country to use the same technology to temporarily convert their buses into mobile power generators.
Applications for the program must be submitted by Monday, June 13.
© 2022 Staten Island Advance, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
