BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — Via Mobility Services is advancing its clean-energy goals through an on-site solar and storage microgrid installation made possible by RE-volv. The project is intended to reduce electricity costs at Via’s facility and generate renewable electricity to support its transition toward a zero-emission transit fleet.
Founded in Boulder in 1979, Via Mobility Services now delivers more than 800,000 passenger trips annually. Approximately 80% of its riders are low-to-middle income. The community-based nonprofit provides paratransit, demand-response operations and contracted transit services across the eight-county Denver Metro area.
Via Mobility Services is working toward a zero-emission fleet while addressing emissions associated with its buildings. Completed on a one-year timeline, the interactive microgrid features a custom-designed 300kW solar carport, a 1.1MWh battery energy storage system (BESS), EV charging, and smart grid technology intended to help the facility achieve net-zero annual energy use and produce surplus energy for electric vehicle charging, saving $2,213,000 and avoiding 16,334,017 lbs of CO₂.
Reduced electricity expenses can leave Via Mobility Services with more resources for accessible transportation and community programming. Via operates electric vehicles on the city of Boulder’s HOP routes; electrification of its smaller demand-response vehicles is expected to proceed over a longer period as vehicle options and funding allow.
“Our riders depend on reliable transportation to stay connected to their communities. Generating electricity at our own facility can help us manage operating costs as we add electric vehicles, leaving more resources for the services our passengers rely on,” said Frank Bruno, CEO of Via Mobility Services.
“Transportation facilities present a valuable opportunity for advanced energy systems because of their energy needs and the growing demand for electric vehicle charging. Our work with Via Mobility Services demonstrates how a microgrid with solar, battery, EV Chargers and advanced controls by Microgrid Labs can maximize savings and resilience. We hope other transit agencies can look to projects like this as they evaluate their own infrastructure,” said Diane Dandaneau, project developer at SitelogIQ.
“Via Mobility Services plays a vital role for families across the Denver Metro Region by providing accessible transportation for older adults and people with disabilities, delivering over 800,000 passenger trips annually. By communicating the success of projects like Via Mobility Services’ solar microgrid, we hope to inspire other nonprofits to follow suit and adopt clean energy solutions. With this collective action we build power from communities across the nation to actively address the climate crisis,” said Andreas Karelas, Executive Director and Founder, RE-volv.