Call for participants to workshop on: the transition to low/ zero carbon transport
Under the Researcher Links scheme offered within the Newton Fund and the British Council, the University of Birmingham and The University of Jordan will be holding a workshop on the above theme in Amman, Jordan from the 24 - 27 June 2019. The workshop is being coordinated by Dr Ahmad El-Kharouf and Dr Hussam Khasawneh, and will have contributions from other leading researchers.
We are now inviting Early Career Researchers from the UK or Jordan to apply to attend this workshop. All travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Newton Fund Researcher Links programme. The application form, with more details on the initiative, is attached and should be sent to Dr Ahmad El-Kharouf: a.el-kharouf@bham.ac.uk before the deadline of 5 April 2019.
Download the application form (Word document)
Purpose of the workshop
This workshop aims to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration between early career researchers from the UK and Jordan in addressing the global challenge of clean transport in the context of Jordan. The participants will discuss the status of the current transport sector, identify alternative approaches and technologies, and draft a road map for achieving low/zero emission transport in Jordan.
The following themes will be discussed:
- The current status of the transport sector in Jordan.
- Alternative powertrain technologies, such as; Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV), Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles (HFCV) and alternative hybrid systems.
- Transport fuel production and storage.
- Energy policy for the advancement of low/zero carbon transport.
Background
Jordan energy resources dependency is considered one of the highest in the world; over 90% of the country’s supply comes from imported oil and gas from neighbouring countries. This creates a major economic strain and security and political risk to the country. The issue has been further magnified by the refugee crisis over the last few decades that resulted in an increase in the population of over 25% in the country, reflected in an increase in energy demand; a burden on the Jordanian government that cannot be ignored. Of the total energy demand, 51% is consumed as a fuel for transport making it also the main source of air pollution.
To reduce its dependence on imported fuel, Jordan has plans to increase its renewable energy generation from solar and wind. This workshop will discuss the potential usage and future demonstration of utilising renewable energy resources in providing “alternative fuel” to achieve low/ zero emissions transport. To this end, the two main technologies identified by all major stakeholders in this sector are the battery-based energy storage and fuel cell technologies. Both have achieved significant technical development in the last decade.
The workshop will create a platform for knowledge exchange between the participants, and the identification of feasible development for achieving zero/low emission transport in Jordan. Following the workshop, a report will be produced highlighting the workshop outcomes and formulating recommendations to policy makers on required future developments.
Workshop Leaders and Mentors
Professor in Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Research, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham
Robert Steinberger-Wilckens has worked on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency since 1982, and on fuel cells and hydrogen since 1997. RSW has been Chair in Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Research in Birmingham since 2012, leading a group of 10 researchers and 35 PhD student. He leads the educational and training activities within the H2FC SUPERGEN Hub. He has been the coordinator of a large number of funded projects (UK, EU, regions) with approx. He has been involved in supervision of 25 PhD students, (co-)authored over 200 journal and proceedings papers, and 9 chapters in fuel cell and hydrogen books. He was the 2008 Chairman of the European SOFC conference in Lucerne, one of the two key SOFC conferences worldwide, and co-chair to the 2017 World Hydrogen Technology Conference. From 2014 to 2017 he sat on the EPSRC Energy Strategic Advisory Committee, and now chairs the Scientific Committee of the European Fuel Cell and Hydrogen funding body.
Dr Hussam Khasawneh
Assistant Professor of Mechatronics Engineering, University of Jordan
Dr. Hussam Khasawneh received his B.Sc. in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Jordan in 2008, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Ph.D. in electrical engineering, both from the Ohio State University in 2011 and 2015, respectively. He has been working as an assistant professor in Mechatronics Engineering Department at the University of Jordan since 2015. He also was the deputy director of Water, Energy, and Environment Center between 2016 and 2018. His research interests are in the areas of E-mobility, automotive systems, energy storage, and energy-water nexus.
Dr Ahmad El-kharouf
Manager for the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Fuel Cells and their Fuels, University of Birmingham
Ahmad is interested in the development of components for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells, especially for extending upper operating temperature limit from 80°C up to 120°C. He is also involved in a number of projects for the integration of fuel cells in automotive and residential applications, and is leading many collaborative projects with industrial partners on the topic.
Dr Martin Khzouz
Lecturer and automotive electrical systems , School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Automotive Engineering, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
Martin is a renewable energy expert with strong track record in Hydrogen Technologies for stationary and mobility applications. He has participated in five Major Research Projects funded both by EPSRC, EU and industrial partners, with a number of peer reviewed publications and conference appearances. Currently he is Assistant Professor at Coventry University, where he leads the Hydrogen for Mobility lab.
Dr Motasem Saidan
Director of Water, Energy and Environment Center, University of Jordan
Motasem is leading a multidisciplinary team of experts in the fields of Water-Energy-Environment. Also, he is a certified International Water Manager by ISWA. He carries out scientific research in water and waste water treatment, solid & hazardous waste management, cleaner production, chemical process safety and hazard management, air pollution control, and environmental impact assessment.
Prof Zayed Al-Hamamre
Professor in the Chemical Engineering Department, University of Jordan
Zayed has extensive experience in hydrogen production and hydrogen storage systems. The workshop will be a chance for establishing connections with UK researchers on the topic. Moreover, he will use the several topics of the workshop to develop a B.Sc. course for undergraduate students to increase the awareness towards the importance of hydrogen and fuel cell systems in our future.