Penn State's Streetlight EV Charging Solution Expands Urban Accessibility
Penn State University researchers have devised a novel solution to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, particularly in urban areas. Their framework converts existing streetlights into charging stations, offering a low-cost, accessible, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional charging points.
The project, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, has successfully installed 23 streetlight charging stations in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of a pilot program. These chargers proved to be more affordable and efficient than standard charging stations, delivering faster charging speeds at significantly lower installation costs.
The team's three-part framework focuses on demand, feasibility, and community benefits to determine the most effective locations for these chargers. Artificial intelligence was employed to predict where chargers would be most beneficial, ensuring fair distribution across diverse neighborhoods. The team plans to further refine their models by incorporating socio-economic and weather data to improve predictions of EV charging demand and infrastructure placement.
Access to convenient and affordable charging stations is a significant barrier to EV ownership, especially for urban residents and those living in multi-unit buildings. Streetlight chargers address this issue, making charging accessible to more residents and encouraging EV adoption.
The success of the Kansas City pilot has led to the development of a replicable framework for other communities. By converting streetlights into EV charging stations, cities can expand their charging infrastructure affordably and sustainably, promoting EV ownership and reducing emissions.
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