Ulster University researchers explore the potential of electric vehicles

Posted date: 07 Dec 2019

Transport is widely regarded as the next major challenge in the UK’s decarbonisation journey. Recent developments in electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide mean that this technology is optimally placed to help lower emissions from road transport. Thanks to the recent acquisition of an electric vehicle (EV), researchers at Ulster University are exploring the potential of this new technology. The UK Government has set ambitions to ensure that almost every car and van in the UK is a zero-emission vehicle by 2050, and to make the UK a world leader in EV and battery technologies.

Due to their high energy capacity, mass deployment of EVs will have significant impact on power networks. This impact will dictate the design of the electric vehicle interface and charging devices and the way future power networks will be designed and controlled.

Ulster University’s SPIRE 2 project has acquired an EV to support essential research that will aim to tackle the identified challenges and better inform policymakers and stakeholders and give direction to further research on the impact of electric vehicles on existing power distribution networks.
Ulster University’s SPIRE 2 project is addressing how consumer-owned energy storage can resolve the problem of the variability of renewable energy (RE) output. Researchers are exploring how homes and businesses can store renewable energy effectively, allowing very high levels of RE to be integrated into power grids globally, at the same time as maximising the benefits to consumers.

The SPIRE 2 project has received funding of €6.7 million from the EU’s INTERREG VA programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Match-funding for the project has been provided by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.

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