Synop’s Charging Management Solution Chosen for Bus2Grid’s Renew America’s Schools Grant

Synop, a premier software provider for electric vehicle fleets, announced last week it has been chosen as the charging management solution for Bus2Grid’s Renew America’s Schools Grant initiative. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in sustainable school transportation, as it enables the intelligent charging of electric school buses integrated with onsite solar panels and battery storage systems.

By coordinating these advanced energy systems, the partnership is set to optimize both cost savings and revenue generation for participating school districts. The financial benefits of this initiative will be reinvested into classrooms, directly supporting students and educators while advancing fleet electrification. Synop’s role in delivering precise and reliable charging management ensures that Bus2Grid’s vision of sustainable and cost-effective school transportation becomes a reality.

“Synop offers a well-developed charging management solution that positions our schools for success at launch,” said Tim Farquer, Bus2Grid’s Administrative Lead. “Their dedication to interoperability and vehicle-to-grid technology position us for success for years to come.”

The Bus2Grid initiative, in partnership with the Illinois Energy Consortium (IEC) Powered by Future Green, is advancing fleet electrification and energy resilience for schools across Illinois. As the largest school energy management group in the state, the IEC operates as a not-for-profit organization sponsored by Illinois ASBO, IASA, and IASB. Its mission focuses on advocating for school districts while providing long-term, cost-effective energy solutions.

Through the Renew America’s Schools Grant, Bus2Grid is enabling 14 Illinois school districts to install campus microgrids with support from a $15 million Department of Energy grant. This project is part of a broader federal effort to modernize school infrastructure nationwide, emphasizing energy efficiency and sustainability.

A critical component of this initiative is the integration of Synop’s advanced charging management platform, which optimizes the operation of electric school bus charging infrastructure. This technology ensures that buses are charged efficiently and reliably, aligning with the initiative’s goals of reducing operational costs and enhancing energy resilience.

By combining microgrid technology with cutting-edge charging solutions, Bus2Grid supports cleaner, more sustainable transportation while helping schools build durable energy systems. This initiative reflects a commitment to modernizing energy practices in education, creating a model for sustainable innovation that can inspire similar efforts nationwide.

Synop’s Software Offers a Range of Benefits

Synop’s software provides a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance the efficiency and reliability of electric vehicle charging operations. It optimizes charging schedules through intelligent algorithms, helping to minimize energy costs while ensuring vehicles are charged when needed. Real-time monitoring delivers detailed insights into charging status, energy consumption, and vehicle health, enabling users to make informed decisions. The platform also supports remote management, allowing for seamless troubleshooting and control of charging stations from any location. Additionally, its scalable design ensures that it can adapt to expanding fleets and evolving energy requirements, making it a versatile solution for managing electric vehicle infrastructure.

“We are excited to partner with Bus2Grid to support their mission of electrifying school bus fleets,” said Mark Braby, Chief Commercial Officer at Synop. “Our comprehensive charging management platform enables schools to ensure operational uptime while optimizing savings and emissions reductions.”

Amazing V2G Progress

This year Synop has seen true scale in V2G.  The company has completed close to 60MWh of V2G discharge to date,  that’s enough energy to power 50,000 homes in the US for an hour during critical times. Having 14 School Districts in Illinois all V2G enabled, will help unlock the next level of V2G scale for Synop.