New Mobility Initiative projects approved

Optimal and flexible operation of uncertain EV charging hubs

This project investigates a new lean, flexible, robust and practical approach for the smart operation of EV charging hubs. Charging hubs combine charging stations for electric vehicles, an electricity grid connection, a battery storage system, and local renewable production. Depending on the use case, charging hubs face several uncertainties, including arrival times, charging demand, energy availability, and electricity prices. Efficient charging hub operation, namely minimizing the charging duration while keeping investments and operational costs within limits, is essential for the e-mobility transition. The smart operation of charging hubs, leveraging the flexibility of local storage systems, real-time synergies between customer groups, and local renewable production, is crucial to achieving efficient and cost-effective outcomes. Project details: https://csfm.ethz.ch/en/research/projects/flexhub.html

Tariff design for efficient vehicle to grid integration

The Swiss and European electricity systems are transitioning towards a high share of variable renewable energy sources. While electrification is one of the key strategies for decarbonizing the transport sector, electric vehicle charging could exacerbate peak load events resulting in higher electricity prices and the need for more generation capacity. Well-designed tariffs can incentivize electric vehicle owners to shift charging to off-peak periods or feed electricity back to the system during peak demand.

This project focuses on tariffs for the efficient integration of electric vehicles into the power system and investigates the interaction with other sources of flexibility on the household level such as batteries or hybrid solar battery systems. Project details: https://csfm.ethz.ch/en/research/projects/tariffv2g.html

Intermodal rail freight mode choice variables for short-distance transportation in Switzerland

Intermodal rail transport may considerably reduce transport emissions. The European modal shift policy promotes medium and long-distance intermodal rail transport (over 300 km). However, Switzerland’s unique geography makes short-distance intermodal rail transport (<300 km) especially important.

This research aims to understand how different factors influence mode choice in Switzerland by using qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative analysis tool that will be developed by combining the demand prediction model and intermodal rail planning model will improve the understanding the interactions between demand-side and supply-side decisions in multimodal systems and will support informed decisions about intermodal service design, infrastructure development, rail planning, and policymaking. Project details: https://csfm.ethz.ch/en/research/projects/railfreightmc.html

A high-resolution, multi-scale urban land use transport interaction model for sustainable spatial and mobility planning in Switzerland

This project will contribute to a more thorough understanding of the interactions between urban land use and mobility by producing a Switzerland-wide, high-resolution land use forecasting model that integrates aspects from travel demand modeling. Accessibility will act as a key feedback component between the travel model and the land use model. The proposed model is designed to operate at multiple scales, from the individual street to inter-city connections while considering a good balance between model sophistication, power, interpretability and transparency.

The results have the potential to influence the development of urban land use and mobility infrastructure in a way that balances societal needs with environmental considerations. Project details: https://csfm.ethz.ch/en/research/projects/lumos.html