Developing an Electric Vehicle Charging Optimisation (EVCO) Decision Support Framework

Led by CIHT Dubai, the focus of this event will be on the early adoption of EVs in the UAE, but the concepts and factors discussed will be more widely applicable to other countries in the region and globally.

For those based in the UAE, this webinar will begin at 18:00 GST.

Overview

With the increasing uptake of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in major cities across the World, the demand for supporting EV charging infrastructure has grown at a rapid pace.

In the recent past, public and private sector organisations have planned public charging point locations based on space availability on-street, at major transport hubs or commercial destinations. However, as EV ownership and use increases, the demand and location forecasting of public charging facilities is no longer a matter of a single decision point. Multiple factors will increasingly need to be considered in the supply and management of charging infrastructure. Therefore, there is a need for a robust qualitative and quantitative evidence base for identifying infrastructure location and sizing.

At the end of 2020, the United Arab Emirates had an estimated 600 publicly available charging points from all public and private sector providers. However, the distribution of these public charging points is highly uneven within and between Emirates. Higher EV adoption in the UAE, as well as in the wider MENA region, will lead to a greater demand for network-wide charging facilities, planning of new charging points, which needs to start now.

Wood, in collaboration with PTV, has developed a conceptual framework to create the evidence base for EV Charging Optimisation (EVCO). The framework relies on transport modelling, spatial analytics, and optimisation algorithms to create the quantitive basis for selecting and prioritising charging point locations. The framework considers other decision points, such as energy demand and supply, financial modalities, site challenges, appropriate charging technologies, and visualisation, to develop an optimised charging infrastructure supply plan.

The seminar will discuss the need for informed decision-making in deploying EV charging infrastructure and how EVCO can be used in support. As the number of Evs on our roads increase in the future, a network-facing approach with an optimised charging infrastructure supply will be critical. EVCO framework aims to future proof the infrastructure investment now required. The focus will be on the early adoption of EVs in the UAE, but the concepts and factors discussed will be more widely applicable to other countries in the region and globally.

About the Speakers

Moshiuzzaman Mahmud is an Associate director at Wood. He has more than 15 years of experience working in transport planning, policy, and strategy sector in countries from Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Moshiuzzaman. Electric mobility is an area he is currently spearheading at Wood. He has worked on several projects related to electric vehicles globally. He is leading the Electric Vehicle Charging Optimisation (EVCO) decision support framework development at Wood.
Laurence Chittock is a Transport Modeller and e-mobility expert at PTV Group. He has over 10 years of experience understanding and assessing the infrastructure needs of Evs, including both UK national and international EV trials. He is currently project managing the Charge project – a collaboration between transport and energy experts led by a UK electricity network operator. Laurence and PTV are supporting Wood with the EVCO framework through data-led insights.

Messe Frankfurt will also give a preview of Hypermotion Dubai, a major trade show being launched during Expo 2020 (2-4 November), designed to provide a showcase for the UAE to assert its strategic location as a ‘bridge’ between East and West and its significance as a global hub for smart logistics & mobility.