2024
Entrant Company
Category
Client's Name
Country / Region
New York, the "City That Never Sleeps,
" faces escalating energy challenges as electricity
demand strains the power grid. ISO forecasts potential shortages by 2034, with increased risks
of outages during peak summer periods. Meanwhile, the city's fleet of electric school buses,
which remain idle during midday and nighttime, can be repurposed as mobile energy storage to
supply backup power during high-demand periods.
The Magic School Buses project leverages V2G and V2H technologies, enabling electric school
buses to charge during off-peak hours, store low-cost electricity, and sell power to the grid or
homes at discounted prices during peak periods. This model helps alleviate grid pressure,
reduces electricity costs, and offers flexible energy management solutions through the Wattup
software platform.
WattUp is software that purchases electricity stored in electric school buses. It provides an
interactive price map, allowing users to compare electricity prices in different areas and make
informed decisions. The software also displays key details such as current prices, available
balances, and saved locations for easy account management. Users can input the required
electricity amount, and WattUp automatically calculates the cost. Additionally, the platform offers
features like automatic scheduling, subscription plans, and energy reports to optimize electricity
use and reduce costs.
WattUp helps users cut costs and enhance energy efficiency, especially during peak periods. In
New York City, the project alleviates grid stress, reduces outages, and supports a greener future
by using electric school buses for decentralized energy storage, balancing supply, lowering
costs, improving air quality, and reducing emissions.
Credits
Entrant Company
Studio MI - Yang Du & Mingxun Zou
Category
Architectural Design - Cultural
Entrant Company
Donghua University/ Haiying Lin
Category
Product Design - Product Design / Other__
Entrant Company
DAISIN WATERPROOFING CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.
Category
Service Design - Construction
Entrant Company
Micro Principle Interior Design Studio (MPIDS)
Category
Interior Design - Interior Design / Other__