New York City MTA adopts smart charging

  • September 16, 2024
  • William Payne

The New York Power Authority (NYPA), Guth DeConzo Construction Management, and CarMedialab are supplying a cloud-based charge management solution to New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The smart charging project will support MTA’s electrification plans.

The project aims to transform four depots across New York with charge management technology. In the initial phase, approximately 255 charging points will be installed. As the project progresses, an additional 500 charging points will be added, supporting the plan to expand the charging infrastructure for a fleet of 5,800 electric buses by 2040.

The transition, according to the MTA, is set to cut greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 500,000 metric tons annually, marking a significant step towards a cleaner New York.

A key component of the project is the installation of local controllers in each of the four depots. These local controllers ensure that the charging process continues reliably even without an internet connection. This allows intelligent charging of the electric buses in the event of server failures or network issues.

The project will integrate various standard interfaces to ensure smooth communication and interoperability between different systems. This includes connecting the Yard Management System (YMS) and the CAD/AVL system for seamless coordination and monitoring. The project also supports automatic preconditioning of electric buses, ensuring they are prepared for operation. Additionally, the MODBUS interface will be implemented for effective substation monitoring, enabling precise control of energy flows. This comprehensive integration ensures efficient management of the charging infrastructure, contributing to the reliable operation of the electric bus fleet.