Wheels, Wires, and Solar Storms: Fleet Electrification, Charging Infrastructure, and Grid Protection
Presentation Type
Long presentation (faculty/staff) 15-20 minutes
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Invited Speaker
Faculty/Staff Department
College of Arts & Sciences
Student Year and Major
2023 Engineering Physics
Presentation Description/Abstract
Decarbonizing the transportation sector is no longer just an ambitious climate goal- it is an accelerating industrial reality. As favorable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) proves that electrification makes sound business sense, the commercial fleet industry is settling down and scaling up with confidence. Underpinning this growth is robust, reliable charging infrastructure that ensures operators succeed on their first try. Beyond simply moving people and goods off fossil fuels, this evolving charging ecosystem is opening the door to revolutionary energy dynamics. Electric vehicles, like school buses, are beginning to go beyond just consuming power. Through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, they will actively support the grid, acting as distributed virtual power plants that stabilize peak demand and integrate higher shares of renewables.
However, as society builds out this unprecedented level of electrification and power distribution, safeguarding our infrastructure becomes paramount. Honoring Embry-Riddle’s aerospace roots, this talk concludes by bridging clean mobility to the skies above, examining why integrating our understanding of space weather phenomena (such as solar storms) and strengthening ground-based grid protections is a critical final step in securing a resilient, sustainable future.
Keywords
Transportation, Electrification, EVs, EV Charging, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Charging infrastructure, Grid Resilience, Space Weather
Wheels, Wires, and Solar Storms: Fleet Electrification, Charging Infrastructure, and Grid Protection
Decarbonizing the transportation sector is no longer just an ambitious climate goal- it is an accelerating industrial reality. As favorable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) proves that electrification makes sound business sense, the commercial fleet industry is settling down and scaling up with confidence. Underpinning this growth is robust, reliable charging infrastructure that ensures operators succeed on their first try. Beyond simply moving people and goods off fossil fuels, this evolving charging ecosystem is opening the door to revolutionary energy dynamics. Electric vehicles, like school buses, are beginning to go beyond just consuming power. Through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, they will actively support the grid, acting as distributed virtual power plants that stabilize peak demand and integrate higher shares of renewables.
However, as society builds out this unprecedented level of electrification and power distribution, safeguarding our infrastructure becomes paramount. Honoring Embry-Riddle’s aerospace roots, this talk concludes by bridging clean mobility to the skies above, examining why integrating our understanding of space weather phenomena (such as solar storms) and strengthening ground-based grid protections is a critical final step in securing a resilient, sustainable future.