Sustainable mobility in Germany

: a spatial approach to integrating photovoltaic installations and parking areas for electric vehicle charging

Abstract

This thesis examines the integration of photovoltaic systems with electric vehicle charging stations in Germany, with the aim of enhancing sustainable mobility and contributing to environmental goals. The study focuses on the strategic placement of charging infrastructure in public and semipublic areas, considering recent regulatory changes that favour photovoltaic-powered stations. In collaboration with Wirelane, a German electric vehicle charging provider, a data-driven approach is employed to identify optimal locations for charging stations, balancing profitability and sustainability. The methodology involves collecting and analysing data from the German Federal Network Agency and OpenStreetMap, covering photovoltaic installations and parking spaces. The study employs the unsupervised learning algorithm K-means clustering, to manage the large datasets and optimise the placement of charging stations relative to photovoltaic installations. This approach enables strategic decision making by identifying locations that are most suitable for the use of solar energy. The results show significant improvements over traditional site selection methods, increasing the profitability and efficiency of Wirelane’s operations, which aligns with Wirelane’s business objectives and contributes to sustainable urban planning. The thesis provides valuable findings into the importance of data-driven strategies in the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and demonstrates how spatial analysis and visualisation techniques can streamline the process, ensuring precision and strategic insight.

Date of Award	23 Jan 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Nicolò Bertani (Supervisor)