The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has awarded more than one million dollars to the Colorado School of Mines to support research initiatives focused on energy and environmental challenges. These projects aim to address the complexities of the energy transition, particularly the societal and infrastructural impacts associated with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles.
How Electric Vehicles Are Impacting the Power Grid and Infrastructure
One of the funded projects, led by Mechanical Engineering Professor Alexandra Newman and Economics and Business Assistant Professor Hojun Choi, focuses on assessing the electric vehicle charging and grid infrastructure needs of underrepresented communities. The research involves analyzing how different policies can ensure that vulnerable populations benefit from the shift to electrified transportation. To achieve this, the team is working on developing recommendations for the optimal placement of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in cities like Seattle and Pittsburgh, balancing factors such as cost, demand, and equity considerations.
Another project, spearheaded by Engineering, Design, and Society Professor Jessica Smith and Electrical Engineering Professor Kathryn Johnson, examines how energy researchers incorporate societal considerations into their work. Students from various disciplines, including environmental engineering science, humanitarian engineering, and electrical engineering, are conducting interviews and participant observations with researchers at energy focused centers. The goal is to understand how acknowledging societal dimensions in early-stage research can contribute to a more just energy transition.
Funding Supports Community Focused Energy Research at Colorado School of Mines
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles presents significant challenges to existing grid and infrastructure systems. The increased demand for electricity due to charging can strain the grid, leading to issues such as voltage fluctuations and increased peak loads. To mitigate these challenges, the research at Mines includes developing strategies for optimal siting of electric vehicle charging stations, considering factors like grid capacity, urban planning, and community accessibility. By doing so, the projects aim to ensure that the infrastructure evolves in a way that supports the growing number of electric vehicles without compromising grid stability.
These research endeavors are conducted in collaboration with institutions such as Fort Lewis College, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Vermont, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Such partnerships enhance the interdisciplinary approach necessary to tackle the multifaceted issues of energy transition. According to Evan Michelson, program director at the Sloan Foundation, these projects address critical components of the low carbon energy transition, including the advancement of equitable electric vehicle adoption and the integration of societal considerations into energy research.
The funding from the Sloan Foundation underscores the importance of addressing both technical and societal aspects in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. By focusing on equitable infrastructure development and integrating community impact into research, the Colorado School of Mines is contributing to a more inclusive and resilient energy future.