Reflections of Sohaib Qazi
In our serie "What does the future bring?" our ESR's are sharing their perspective. This serie is linked to the Horizon Magazine article published on Monday, March 13 2024 which focusses on EU support for Ukrainian researchers including ETUT project regarding "Building bridges between Ukrainian and EU researchers" featuring Regis Nibaruta, Ivan Struzhko, Vladimir Havryliuk, Gert Rietveld and Frank Leferink. The full article can be found https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/building-bridges-between-ukrainian-and-eu-researchers By Andrew Dunne.
Via Cordis, the project is described as'the ETUT project will model, design, estimate, quantify and monitor economic measures for a reliable, safe, effective and greener electrical transport system. The training programme will include innovative methods to be applied in electric transport... it may have far reaching consequences and may even see the railway network supporting or replacing local electrical utility networks' Can you explain the problem specifically? In simple terms, what exactly is the electrical engineering challenge in terms of future electric transport systems and what's the link with local electrical utility networks too?
The challenge in terms of future electric transport systems lies in developing and integrating electrical infrastructure to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). As the number of EVs continues to grow, the demand for charging infrastructure will also increase. This presents a number of challenges to local electrical utility networks. For example, high-power charging stations can put a strain on local power grids, especially during peak usage times. This can lead to power outages and potential safety hazards if the grid is not designed to handle the increased load. In addition to charging infrastructure, the electrical grid must be able to support the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, to provide a sustainable source of energy for EVs. This requires significant upgrades to the electrical grid, including the development of smart grid technology and energy storage solutions.
When we spoke you described these two areas of electrical engineering where the main focus was - electromagnetic compatibility and power electronics. Can you give me examples of the kind of devices that might benefit from improvements to both and can you explain the link with these two areas and future electric transport systems?
Electromagnetic compatibility and Power Electronics collectively ensure that energy transfer systems through switching devices can be integrated into the power system reliably without incurring a large loss of energy. They will play a crucial role in smart grids, electric transport, charging Stations, and solar and wind energy integration.
Are there any examples of really applied research which you are currently conducting which relates to electric transport systems which we can talk about? Can you explain what you are working on - in an applied sense - with whom, and how?
Charging of electric ships. The idea is to develop a multi-functional ship charger compatible with different boats/ferries. Having a charger capable of charging different vessels can reduce the shore footprint of the charging systems and accelerate ship electrification.
What is the long-term hope with this work? From a research point of view, what are YOUR long-term motivations for this all is and what are the impacts he envisages in the future (i.e. who does he see will benefit from this research in the future, and how?).
The concept can certainly benefit the maritime industry and aid in the adoption of more electric ferries. Setting up charging stations in congested port areas can be cumbersome and challenging for ship owners. At the same time, more and more ship chargers are needed if large-scale electrification is the target. Therefore, multi-functional shore chargers alleviate some volumetric burden in a space-constrained harbor environment. This will be very beneficial in the long term as more ships become electric.
Could I get a reflection from you on the importance of developing future electric transport systems in view of climate change and emission reduction targets? Why is this issue you're tackling so important from an environmental perspective?
The development of future electric transport systems is of critical importance in the context of climate change and emission reduction targets. Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, both of which are significant drivers of climate change. The widespread adoption of EVs has the potential to significantly reduce these emissions, as EVs produce much lower emissions compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, especially if powered by clean, renewable energy sources. Developing future electric transport systems is essential to address the urgent challenge of climate change and to achieve our emission reduction targets. By reducing emissions from transportation, improving air quality, and supporting the transition to a clean, low-carbon energy system, transportation electrification is paramount for a sustainable future.