Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1111696
Q What barriers need to be overcome in order to enable the rollout of electric vehicles? A One of the big barriers is around the manufacturing capability for batteries, par- ticularly within Europe, and in keeping up with demand given the recent announcements around ultra-low emission zones and the push towards the decarbonisation of trans- port. There are also challenges around energy demand and how local systems may cope with an increase in energy consumption related to electric vehicles (EVs). Q How should the elec- tricity and transport sectors work together to help achieve this? A We know that we need more charging points for EVs, which brings about a transport infrastructure chal- lenge in knowing where to put them and what type to install. What this looks like in reality changes based on how people are going to use their EVs. Are they going to charge more at home or are they going to be charging in car parks in trans- port hubs? Layered on top of that is the actual energy sup- ply network and the ability to draw on an appropriate power source. Resolving these chal- lenges requires both sectors to collaborate and communicate. Q How does the connect- ed and autonomous vehicle (CAV) sector play into the EV revolution? A In the future you're likely to see a lot more connected electric vehicles. Through this connectivity, you can gather data on how these vehicles are being used and use them to inform decisions around where EV charging infrastructure is needed and how to optimise energy supply. Autonomous ve- hicles are expected to open new business models around shared usage and ride hailing, which could change how and where EVs are used and charged. Q What role is there for other forms of decar- bonised transport? A I think a mix of technolo- gies and fuels will con- tinue to be used in the future. For light private vehicles, bat- tery EVs seem to be winning as the prevalent form of alterna- tive fuel to petrol and diesel. With larger vehicles such as trains, buses and HGVs you then run into the challenge of size and weight of battery needed. That's where fuels like hydrogen, which has a higher energy density, could play a valuable part. Q If there's one thing that could be done to progress things in this area, what should it be? A I think taking a systems- engineering approach to what is a very complex problem would be valuable. One of the challenges currently is that many organisations and people are working in silos. Taking a systems-of-systems approach and mapping out an overall architecture to ˆ gure out what needs to be done to progress this is something that would be very beneˆ cial to the conversation. Q What is Costain's role in developing solu- tions and working with the industry? A Costain is a smart in- frastructure solutions company working across energy, transportation and water. We are a technology integrator, open to working with our collaborative partners, suppliers and clients in this area. Our aim is to inte- grate and deliver solutions to get to the best outcome for the UK and improve people's lives. NETWORK / 23 / MAY 2019 plementing charging infrastruc- ture and delivering this against a changing regulatory backdrop. "'Costain is playing a central role in the future of transport through our connected autono- mous vehicle trials working in collaboration with Highways England, the Department for Transport, Transport for London (TfL) and Kent County Council to design, install and imple- ment one of the UK's ˆ rst pilot connected vehicle corridors on a live road." He added: "The Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 is designed to ensure charge points meet certain smart functionality requirements. However, EVs place demand on the balancing of the network including its agility. Therefore, a barrier to uptake is certainty to ensure power demand and sup- ply can be accommodated into regional and local networks. "Ofgem is working with net- work companies to design the RIIO2 regulatory framework that needs to consider the impact of the uptake of electric vehicles and the needs case for strategic investment. It will continue to be important for DNO networks to engage closely with local authorities and EV charge installers for reviewing connec- tion needs. Further, it will be important that Ofgem have in place the regulatory framework for investment stimulus." Low carbon transport With a ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2040, all three acknowledge that there is also a role for other forms of decarbonised transport such as hydrogen powered vehicles. Brazier adds: "The ENA supports a whole energy system approach to decarbonisation, which very much includes other forms of low carbon transport, such as biogas and hydrogen, as solutions to decarbonising transportation as a whole. There is especially a strong case for these alternative forms of low carbon transportation in heavy vehicles, freight and the marine/ aviation sectors." Dr Oliver Teall, head of intelligent mobility at Costain, discusses some of the challenges involved in bringing together the energy and transport sectors. Together as one Comments Tonkin: "Hydro- gen powered vehicles have not been part of the hype that cur- rently surrounds EVs. However, hydrogen has signiˆ cant poten- tial for heavy goods transport, rail and shipping particularly given that hydrogen can power an engine using an adjusted internal combustion engine or through a fuel cell. "We need targets for deploy- ment of ultra-low emission commercial vehicles, and a sup- port package for businesses to encourage uptake amongst hub- based operations. This should also support the development of low carbon solutions for heavy, long-distance vehicles such as conversion to hydrogen fuel." In association with: