Kansas City Plug-In Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project

Angela B. Rolufs

Missouri Transportation Institute

Project Summary

• Title: Plug-In Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project

• Funding: Federal Transit Administration (FTA):

– $1.7M FY 08– $1.0M FY 09

• Investigators: Angela Rolufs (PI); Mehdi Ferdowsi, Ph.D.; Mariesa Crow, Ph.D.

• Description: Utilize Kansas City’s existing airport shuttle service and fleet operations as a platform to demonstrate viability of Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) technologies in a controlled, real-world environment. Evaluate the pathway to integrate renewable energy into a public transit service. US Department

of Transportation Federal Transit Administration

Partnerships

• City of Kansas City • Kokam America, Inc.

• KCP&L

• Smith Electric Vehicle – US Corp.

• Missouri S&T

Kokam America, Inc.

• Battery Manufacturer - patented Superior Lithium Polymer Battery (SLPB) technology

• 50,000 SF plant in Lee’s Summit, MO in operation

• Battery supplier to Smith Electric Vehicle, US Corp.

Smith Electric Vehicles – US Corp.• Initial vehicle assembly in Kansas City, MO

– Announcement made March 27th• First truck model produced will be the Smith Newton• Partnership with Ford – produce Transit Connect EV• Production will begin 3rd quarter of 2009

Project Goals:

• Respond to Federal Transit Administration’s strategic research goals to protect the environment and promote energy independence

• Apply lessons-learned to a nation-wide program to reduce dependence on foreign fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

• Collect and analyze data related to the range, safety, serviceability, and public acceptance of battery-powered vehicles while simultaneously evaluating the pathway to integrate renewable energy into a public transportation electrification program

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Fleets as a

Distributed Storage System Dr. Mehdi Ferdowsi:

One of the unique advantages of plug-in hybrid vehicles is their capability to integrate the transportation and electric power generation sectors in order to improve the efficiency, fuel economy, and reliability of both systems. This goal is performed via integration of the onboard energy storage units of plug-in vehicles with the power grid by power electronic converters and communication systems. Employing energy storage systems improves the efficiency and reliability of the electric power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Plug-In Electric Vehicle Fleets as a Distributed Storage System

• Vehicles connected to the grid provide a range of services to the power network, including:– backup power for homes and business– peak shaving– regulation– reactive power – transmission stabilization

• Maximize use of PV/wind to eliminate reliance on grid during peak demand

Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management • National Science Foundation Center

– $18.5M 5-year NSF Grant• Core Universities:

– North Carolina State (Center HQ)– Missouri S&T– Florida State– Arizona State– Florida A&M– RWTH Aachen University in Germany – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Switzerland

• 65 Partners (utility companies, electrical equipment manufacturers, alternative energy start-ups)

SEV-UK has been making electric vehicles since the 1920’s. SEV-US is working with Ford Motor Company to electrify the Ford Transit Connect.

Kansas City Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Demonstration Project

• Plug-In Electric Fleet Vehicles• Electric Airport Shuttle Buses• Wind Turbine• Photovoltaic Canopies• Recharge Equipment

Kansas City’s existing airport shuttle service and fleet operations will be used as a platform to demonstrate viability of PEV technologies in a controlled, real-world environmentThe project will also evaluate the pathway to integrate renewable energy into a PEV charging infrastructure.

is the primary manufacturer of the patented superior lithium polymer battery (SLPB) technology; and is located in Lee’s Summit, MO

Sponsors and Partners: US Department

of Transportation Federal Transit Administration

Questions?

Contact information:

Angela Rolufs, MTI Director

rolufsa@mst.edu