POST POST OFFICE

Roosevelt Island, NY

Fall 2022, Columbia University GSAPP

Critics: Laurie Hawkinson

T.A.: Lucia Song

Since its inauguration in 1775, the United States Postal Service has seen an immense evolution in the mail delivery service. However, recently we have seen a massive push in a large-scale shift toward the use of electric and renewable resources. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law recently passed by President Biden plans to invest $7.5 Billion to build a national network of energy and the USPS has committed to make 40% of its new trucks electric by late 2023. However, the progression of electrification means a larger production of lithium ion batteries which brings up issues regarding long-term sustainability and mass production of the battery. Energy storage is becoming a necessity for cities, however, space for these systems is becoming scarce. In times of emergency, how can the USPS leverage its upcoming infrastructure of electric vehicles to become a key role in this system? Can the USPS become a space for energy storage and emergency preparedness planning to enact during times of energy emergency? Relay boxes will serve as a battery recycling drop off box that USPS drivers can pick up during their routes. The new USPS Electric Vehicle can be rented by locals when vehicles are not in use and can be repurposed as generators to power small food trucks, construction sites, and more. In an emergency situation, the USPS Electric Vehicles can act as a roaming generator around the city, deploying energy at the ready. In order to support these newly implemented services, the building must become a working machine to support the mission and incoming infrastructure of the USPS, generating and storing energy for its day to day activities. However, in situations of emergency, the building’s stored energy can act as a microgrid to deploy readily available energy, planning for unplanned times of emergency response.

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