Modelling a sustainable electromobility infrastructure
Date
2024
Authors
Amiani, D. M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Strathmore University
Abstract
The global transportation sector is undergoing a significant transformation as societies increasingly seek sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil fuelled. Electricity as an alternative for fossil fuels to power mobility in the wake of green transition has gained prominence. Energy inaccessibility due to inadequate availability of a robust infrastructure with reliable and efficient energy provision has become a drawback towards the transition from petroleum powered to electrified mobility. This study aimed to create a model that will foster the uptake of electromobility by formulating a model equation to determine the infrastructural requirements of establishing a sustainable e-mobility charging infrastructure. The study adopts desktop, descriptive and experimental research designs in sourcing for data and simulation of the model. To this end, Westlands region of Nairobi County was selected as an area with a blend of residential and most sought-after office space with capability for modern e-mobility infrastructure. Results depicted that the current EV infrastructural capacity (charging stations, charging station capacity and area coverage) is not sustainable (SI=2.316 (>0.29)) for the given population, energy demand, and coverage area. This is also the case in the short term (5 years) (SI=4.030 (>0.29)), medium term (10 years) (4.828 (>0.29)) as well as long term (15 years) (5.339 (>0.29)). The findings highlight the inadequacy and inflexibility of the current infrastructure to meet the evolving demands of a growing population, increasing energy demand, casting doubt on the viability of Kenya's e-mobility ecosystem in fostering sustainable transportation solutions. To ensure the continued sustainability of the e-mobility infrastructure, policymakers, government agencies, private sector stakeholders and urban planners should prioritize integrated planning and investment strategies in developing a cohesive framework to address current and future demands of e-mobility ecosystem.
Key Words: Energy Access, Electromobility, Energy Transition, Sustainability
Description
Full - text thesis