Supply of Electricity as a Transport Fuel

In order to fully achieve the decarbonising of transport we need to reinforce both sectors and make these systems “smarter”. Electricity network and transport are increasingly interacting in an unprecedented manner with potential to give rise to a new merged industry.

This research theme is looking at the short, medium and long-term challenges associated with electricity as energy carrier for the different low-carbon transport modes and carbon intensive services (cars, trains and electric aircrafts) mapping this with planned electricity generation mixes in the UK up to 2050.

The focus in this research theme will be on: 

• Geographical distribution of the demand as a result of low-carbon transport modes

• Optimising the use of renewables

• Studying the cost of, and interaction between demand-side and supply-side measures

• Investigating the carbon footprint reduction of low-carbon transport modes by considering synergies and interaction with renewable energy sources, local energy generation, storage and management systems

• Improve synergies between power grids and rail electrification lines with power electronics technologies

• Charging infrastructure deployment in combination with grid edge technologies (decentralized generation, microgrids, storage, and smart buildings) & integration with smart grids

• Increase reliability, resilience, efficiency, and asset utilization of the overall system using grid edge devices

• EVs to be used as a source of flexibility, vehicle-to-everything (V2x)

• Virtual Power Plants

Associated Projects and Networks

Sustainable urban power supply through intelligent control and enhanced restoration of AC/DC networks - EPSRC UK-China

Cloud-based Virtual Power Plant