SCOUGAR Kerb-side EV Charging Project
The Institute for Sustainable Futures at Keele University, in co-operation with Lesla Limited and funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) in partnership with Innovate UK, is developing a novel charging system called ‘SCOUGAR’ that enables easier on-street charging using minimal charging hardware and providing a near-invisible aesthetic.
A new compact form-factor charging station based on the Lesla’s low-cost wireless power transfer (WPT) technology will be integrated into the kerb and provide wireless contact from the charging station to the charging cable. Thus, the charging station can be fully underground in a monolithic form completely protected from the outside environment; it is virtually indestructible (minimal maintenance costs) and can operate even if completely submerged. Relying on WPT technologies previously accomplished by Lesla, the cable and kerb connection have zero exposed terminals and therefore offer a new level of safety for the user.
Concept Art of the SCOUGAR technology
Your participation
The research project will be running multiple user studies throughout the project and demonstrating a working prototype of the technology on Keele campus. The latest anoymous questionnaire of EV users and their experience using EV charging infrastructure is accessible here. The first anonymous questionnaire of street users is still live and can be accessed here. Please check back later for more surveys or get in contact with Yesmeen or Federico via emails.
Meet the Team
Dr Leslie Adrian
Lesla Founder: Research & Development
Dr Sc.Eng, Senior research advisor and lecturer at Riga Technical University. Likes to think outside of the box, ideas guy. Technology Consultant spanning 20 plus years. Collector of Electronics Antiquities and retro robotics. Author of several innovative projects.
Aivars Rubenis
Lesla Co-Founder: Business Strategy
Founder of several start-ups including Applied Electronics Labs with the development of a new battery formation system which shortened battery formation time by half. Consultant to the Government of Latvia, author of the Latvia E-mobility Plan, Representative of Latvia in the IEA and the IA-HEV.
Dr Sharon George
PhD Chemistry - Theromochemical corrosion mechanisms of cruciform alumina-zirconia-silica refractories, Keele University, United Kingdom
Dr Sharon George is a senior lecturer, Course Director MSc in Environmental Sustainability & Green Technology, and a researcher in Keele’s Institute for Sustainable Futures. She holds a PhD in chemistry and is a specialist in sustainable development, technology development and deployment. Collaborators include local government authorities, businesses, entrepreneurs and the public on engagement projects involving technology and behaviour change.
Dr Simon George
PhD Engineering – Material and Process Modelling for Ceramic Pastes, Aberdeen University, United Kingdom
15+ years of experience in industrial research to “make things work”, which is where he received his Engineering PhD. Simon stresses that the circular & sustainable design in this project is critical because of his experience running the “Green IT” module at Keele University.
Yaman Al Jaghbeer
PhD Student in Sustainability and Green technologies, Keele University, United Kingdom
Yaman has worked for 6 years in different engineering and management roles. Now she is doing her PhD at Keele University and her research project is about investigating the challenges of energy management operations in Higher Education Institute buildings in the UK in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and net-zero ambitions. She is also interested and trained in artificial intellagence and big data analysis.
Email: y.m.aljaghbeer@keele.ac.uk
LinkedIn
Dr Yesmeen Khalifa
PhD in Environment and Sustainability - Urban Metabolism: An integrated approach to exploring the challenges of resource management for urban sustainability in developing countries, Keele University, United Kingdom
MSc in Environmental Engineering & BSc in Architecture
Dr Yesmeen has more than 20 years of international experience in different fields of Engineering, Academic Research and Architecture, as well as a Founder and General Manager of a Private Business.
Email: y.khalifa@keele.ac.uk
LinkedIn
Research Gate
Metabolism of Cities
Federico Pettinella
MSc in Environmental Sustainability and Green Technology, BSc in Computer Science
Federico is a research associate at the Institute for Sustainable Futures. He has previously worked as a data technology consultant for the likes of Rolls-Royce, Dyson, and Siemens and is looking to put his skills to use in the drive to net-zero carbon emissions. His interests include sustainable transportation and energy plus communicating the steps to reach these goals to interested companies. His background in 5x countries helps supports his macro/systems-level perspective.
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