How Lastmyle optimises classroom heating and cooling
Lastmyle tackles the ‘last mile’ of the electricity grid and is driving change in New Zealand schools.
Schools across Aotearoa are responsible for around 4% of the nation’s total electricity use. Energy innovator Lastmyle is helping schools reduce fossil fuel heating and energy use through the first-of-its-kind installation of its platform, Maestro, at three large New Zealand schools. The system optimises classroom heating and cooling to improve energy efficiency, create healthier learning environments, and support the wider energy system. Maestro integrates seamlessly into classrooms, allowing teachers to control heating as usual while the system learns preferences and adjusts in real time. This can deliver a 20%reduction in heating and cooling related energy use and shift demand away from peak times, creating immediate environmental and financial benefits.
Impact unlocked
By coordinating classroom heating, Lastmyle’s platform Maestro not only reduces energy bills but also supports the wider electricity system. The platform can respond to peak electric demand grid signals, helping ease pressure on the grid and demonstrating how schools can play an active role in a smarter, cleaner and more resilient energy system.
Ara Ake Contribution
Ara Ake facilitated the collaboration between Lastmyle, the Ministry of Education, EECA, and helped secure funding through the Government’s state sector decarbonisation programme. By enabling this partnership, Ara Ake is demonstrating how smart, locally developed solutions can deliver measurable benefits for schools, communities and the national energy system. This pilot showcases regional leadership in sustainability and highlights how scalable, customer-led innovation can contribute to New Zealand’s energy transition.
National Flex Discovery Fund
In September 2025, Ara Ake awarded funding to Lastmyle as part of the National Flex Discovery Fund. The Fund is designed to accelerate the commercialisation of emerging energy solutions. Read more about the Fund and recipients here.
www.lastmyle.co.nz