better busses

City of Houston, METRO reveal autonomous shuttle,  zero-emission initiatives

FutureLink is part of the second phase of METRO's autonomous vehicle testing program. Photo courtesy of METRO

Houston and METRO took the latest step towards transforming the city into a leader in innovative and eco-friendly transportation.

Mayor Sylvester Turner unveiled METRO's new autonomous shuttle, FutureLink. The vehicle a fully autonomous zero-emission shuttle that can operate on city streets between Texas Southern University and METRO's Eastwood Transit Center. The level 4 zero-emission shuttle bus can seat 14 passengers and up to two wheelchairs.

FutureLink is part of the second phase of METRO's autonomous vehicle testing program.

"FutureLink represents the intersection of innovation and sustainability," says Mayor Turner in a news release. "METRO continues to pioneer change and today, we celebrate METRO's commitment to advancing our city's vision for the future in which transportation is safe, equitable, and resilient."

METRO's electric bus was also on display at the event, which is part of its fleet of zero-emission vehicles that align with the city's Climate Action Plan working towards a greener future.

"At METRO, we believe that innovation and sustainability are not just responsibilities, but opportunities to create a better tomorrow," METRO Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran says in a news release. "We are passionate about building a thriving, livable, and equitable future for the Houston region, and we are working hard to make it a reality for generations to come."

The project was funded by the Federal Transit Administration through its Accelerating Innovative Mobility program. Phase 2 of the pilot program is expected to run through October 2024, with a final report aiming for March 2025.

Earlier this month, the city approved funding for an EV rideshare service. The $281,000 of funding went toward the expansion of free electric vehicle rideshare services in communities that are considered underserved by utilizing services like RYDE and Evolve Houston.

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A View From HETI

Shell has entered a 15-year agreement to be the first offtaker to receive electrons from Fervo Energy's flagship geothermal development in Beaver County, Utah, known as Cape Station. Photo via fervoenergy.com

Beginning in 2026, Shell will be able to apply 31 megawatts of 24/7 carbon-free geothermal power to its customers thanks to a new 15-year power purchase agreement with Houston next-gen geothermal development company Fervo Energy.

“This agreement demonstrates that Fervo is stepping up to meet the moment,” Dawn Owens, VP, Head of Development & Commercial Markets at Fervo, said in a news release.

Shell will become the first offtaker to receive electrons from Fervo's flagship geothermal development in Beaver County, Utah’s Phase I of Cape Station. Cape Station is currently one of the world’s largest enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) developments, and the station will begin to deliver electricity to the grid in 2026.

Cape Station will increase from 400 MW to 500 MW, which is considered by the company a major accomplishment due to recent breakthroughs in Fervo’s field development strategy and well design. Fervo is now able to generate more megawatts per well by optimizing well spacing using fiber optic sensing, increasing casing diameter and implementing staggered bench development. This can allow for a 100 MW capacity increase without the need for additional drilling, according to the company.

With the addition of the new Shell deal, all 500 MW of capacity from Fervo’s Cape Station are now fully contracted. The deal also includes existing agreements, like Fervo’s PPAs with Southern California Edison and an expanded deal with Clean Power Alliance that adds 18 MW of carbon-free geothermal energy to the company’s existing PPA with Fervo.

“As customers seek out 24/7 carbon-free energy, geothermal is clearly an essential part of the solution,” Owens said in the release.

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