Computing our Way to Sustainable Commuting in Africa
Simulating minibus taxis run by solar energy
69% of South African households are quoted to use minibus taxis (Statistics South Africa 2013). If the Electric-Vehicle revolution, which has already started in many 1st-world countries, starts to transform South Africa too, some major questions arise. Will the grid be able to cope with the electrical load, will taxi drivers still be able to make a profit, and how can the taxi be designed (battery size, motor power) to meet consumer demand? This calls for the need for simulation.
The aim of this research is to develop a simulation tool that can evaluate the performance of electric and hydrogen-fuel-cell transport systems, and to apply the simulation tool to various practical scenarios.
It is envisaged that the research will be of use to researchers/transport-planners from other countries who need to evaluate the impact of converting other forms of transport to electric or hydrogen.
Simulation tool link.
Read more about Chris’s work on LinkedIn.