The UK–Saudi Electric Vehicles Education and Research Network is a game-changing partnership among higher institutions in the UK and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia (KSA). The focus of the network is on the next generation of EV technologies. The network shall promote multidisciplinary collaborations from different engineering departments.
The acceleration of transition to this new green smart technology would require collaboration in building new graduates with knowledge and research skills in the fields of:
- Enhanced Energy Management (Advanced modelling, monitoring, and control of electric vehicle subsystems)
- Energy Storage (Comprehensive lifecycle deployment of electric vehicle batteries)
- Advanced Power Modules (Advanced integrated power modules for ultra compact chargers)
- Next generation Powertrain (Innovative system topologies to increase efficiency of electric vehicle powertrains)
- Ubiquitous Charging (Fast, on board, and wireless charging solutions to reduce range anxiety)
- Electric Vehicle Opportunities (Opportunities to expand the utility of electric vehicles and batteries).
The overall goal of this project is to take stock and identify key challenges and constraints for the development and implementation of EV technologies in KSA and propose a successful model for collaboration between universities and industry to prepare young graduates and researchers capable of addressing the challenges of EV technologies. The project activities include faculty and experts exchange and visits, meetings, workshops, seminars, curriculum development, and conferences. All set and designed to achieve the project objectives.
Workshop activities
In the UK: A report on the workshop carried out at Brunel University London during 24–30 November 2022
In KSA: Meetings, training events and workshop, KSA
Industrial consultancy
The Future of EV Charging Forecourts. Industry report by Martin Beaumont and Dorian Vargas-Reighley, Electric Green, February/March 2023
Industry Outlook on EV Charging Forecourts. Report by Dorian Vargas-Reighley, Electric Green, February 2023
Curriculum consultancy
The project researchers provided consultancy to Prof M E Farraq (Glasgow Caledonian University) and Prof M Shafik (University of Derby), who produced curriculum development and requirements for:
- BEng Programme: a 5-Year undergraduate General Engineering Programme with focus on Electric Vehicle Engineering and Technology
- MSc Programme: a masters-level programme with a focus on Engineering and Technology based on first year is a teaching year and second year is for programme dissertation and industrial placement
Publications
Darwish, M., Rady, M., Abbod, M., Almatrafi, E. and Lai, C.S. (2022) ‘Forecourt Electric Vehicles Charging Hubs – UK and Saudi Research and Education Collaboration’, Proceedings of the 57th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC 2022), Istanbul, Turkey
Rady, M., Darwish, M., Abbod, M., Almatrafi, E. and Lai, C.S. (2023) ‘Development of Mechanical Engineers Skills for an Emerging Electric Vehicles Industry’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Mechanical, Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering (ICMAME 2023), Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Lai, C.S., Darwish, M. and Abbod, M. (2023) ‘Education in Electric Vehicle Systems’, Partner News (The Institution of Engineering and Technology), issue 54, Spring
Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project
Dr Mohamed Darwish - Dr Mohamed K Darwish - Course Director for MSC in Advanced Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Reader in Power Electronics and Systems, Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, UK. He has over 40 years experience of research and teaching in the area of Power Electronics, Renewable Energy Sources, Research Environment and Power Systems. His research interests include Power Active Filtering techniques, UPS systems, Electric Vehicles, Enviromental Research, and Power Quality issues. Dr Darwish is also a Chartered Engineer and the IET Student Counsellor at Brunel.
Related Research Group(s)
Advanced Powertrain and Fuels - We have particular strengths in improving the efficiency and reducing energy cost of existing engines through developing low temperature combustion processes and their controls and regenerative braking, as well as unique methodologies for the study of fuels and engines.
Brunel Interdisciplinary Power Systems - Power systems analysis for transmission and distribution networks, smart grids; congestion monitoring in transmission networks; simulation and analysis of new energy markets; optimisation of the design and operation of electrical networks; condition monitoring of power station and power system plant; energy-efficient designs for underground electric power cables.
Partnering with confidence
Organisations interested in our research can partner with us with confidence backed by an external and independent benchmark: The Knowledge Exchange Framework. Read more.
Project last modified 20/07/2023