Intelligent infrastructure paves way for Electric Vehicles

Consultant: Professor Goran Strbac, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Expertise: Innovation in low carbon electricity networks

Our consultants were chosen to collaborate on the ETI’s Plug-in Vehicles Programme, which marks a fundamental step forward in the quest to develop a commercially viable mass market for low carbon transport.

The Challenge

The challenge was to assess the impact of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) on the UK distribution network, as well as to identify the type of recharging infrastructure that might be needed. ETI’s consortium partners composed of IBM (leader), UK Power Networks, EDF Energy and E.On Engineering will ultimately develop new intelligent systems architecture to be able to meet recharging requirements and a massive increase in demand for electricity.

The Solution

Professor Goran Strbac provided modelling and analysis of the impact of PHEVs on the operation and design of the UK electricity distribution network.

The findings were then fed into research carried out by the other two carbon reduction projects: “Consumers and Vehicles” and “Economics and Carbon Benefits”.

The Impact

Professor Strbac and his team on this occasion helped identify the benefits of an intelligent charging infrastructure within a smart grid concept – a form of network that delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using two-way digital communications.

The achievement of these projects will mark a major milestone in the ETI’s £11million low carbon vehicle plan to roll-out plug-in vehicles across the UK.

IBM was shortlisted for a consultancy award for leading this consortium.

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