Enabling e-mobility in Africa: A techno-economic study of battery-swap options for e-motorcycle taxis

Cameron Sheehan

The recent, rapid growth in the use of motorcycle taxis in many African countries has led to an increase in negative environmental impacts, such as local air pollution and carbon-emissions. Electrification of these motorcycles has been proposed as a solution to these issues, however, the electricity systems in many of these countries are constrained and have reliability issues. This project investigates the techno-economic feasibility of different configurations of battery-swap stations and their potential to mitigate issues related to charging e-motorcycle taxis in two case study countries: Kenya and Rwanda.

Supervisors:

Prof. Tim Green, Energy Futures Lab / Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London

Dr. Nicolo Daina, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London


Feasibility of Taxi Fleet Electrification Strategies in Five Iconic European Cities

Foivi Amparioti

With the climate crisis becoming more imminent, electric vehicles are being used as principal building blocks in decarbonization strategies. Although taxi drivers represent a small share of the passenger car fleet, they have a disproportionately larger impact, since they spend most of their day driving. By creating a framework which analyses taxi electrification from an environmental and economic perspective, this project aims to explore the feasibility in different locations. Looking into five European cities, this research will aim to identify the city characteristics needed for an effective transformation, both in terms of the local governments’ and the taxi drivers’ point of view.

Supervisors:

Dr. Oytun Babacan, The Grantham Institute / Department of Physics, Imperial College London

Miriam Azcel, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London


Energy system modelling for vehicle-integrated solar photovoltaics in London

George Barron

The main question that this project aims to answer is 'How much grid relief can be provided by the integration of solar PV cells on electric vehicles in London, in addition to smart charging strategies?'. This is done by simulating the status of multiple EV batteries as they travel over time. Their energy is depleted by travel and replenished by solar power generation. The output of the simulations gives an hourly grid charging profile, based on charging criteria (e.g. as soon as the battery drops to 25% state of charge after a trip, the EV is charged until at full battery capacity). This hourly grid charging profile is then optimised via the minimisation of grid charging costs, for example.

Supervisors:

Dr. Oytun Babacan, The Grantham Institute / Department of Physics, Imperial College London

Dr. Phillip Sandwell, Department of Physics, Imperial College London


Decarbonising Transport: Policy landscape for Electric Vehicle adoption in India

Ishoo Ratna Srivastav

The work explores the supply side policy landscape for E.V. in India and assesses the framework using a functional approach in a Technology Innovation System. A mapping of comparative pathways in China and the UK is done to explore the translation learning on the subject.

Supervisors:

Dr. Mark Workman, Energy Futures Lab, Imperial College London

Mr. Chandrabhushan, IForest Global (N.G.O. engaged in environment research in India)


How can Swindon Borough's charging infrastructure meet its future electric vehicle load?

Maria da Silva Cavaco de Aguiar Pedro

The electrification of mobility has become a highly promoted field in the UK, as multiple benefits on both the national and local scales can arise from its mass uptake. This is the case of Swindon Borough, where one of the highest shares of electric vehicles is expected to be seen. However, informed developments to the charging infrastructure and the electricity network need to be projected ahead so the grid does not become overloaded. This project, therefore, aims to assess the required quantity and geographic distribution of the charging infrastructure in Swindon, considering their local electricity network constraints, so they can actively promote EV adoption in the following decades.

Supervisors:

Dr. Jeffrey Hardy, The Grantham Institute, Imperial College London

Dr. Koen van Dam, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London

Steve Cains, Public Power Solutions


Ammonia as a low carbon energy carrier for marine applications

Minnan Ye

Emissions from ships becomes an increasingly serious problem globally. Ammonia as a low carbon ship fuel has attracted increasing interest due to its potential to achieve the aim of zero carbon emissions and its high volumetric energy density compared with other carbon-free fuels. This thesis aims to design and compare an ammonia cracking plus PEM fuel cell propulsion system and a pure hydrogen PEM fuel cell system for ships. Mass and energy balance models of the two systems are developed and applied on 15kW race yacht, 30kW water taxi and 2600TEU cargo ship. Brief volume and weight analysis, economic assessment and environmental assessment for the systems are also included in the project.

Supervisors:

Prof. Nigel Brandon, Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London

Prof. Anthony Kucernak, Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London

Phil Sharp, OceansLab