Con Edison

At a Glance

Industry

Energy or Utility

Project Types

Clean and Renewable Energy, Data Analysis, Zero Emission Vehicles, Freight and Logistics

Year

2024

Location

New York, NY

Summary

Ummamah conducted two projects at Con Edison: Optimizing the Smart Charge Commercial (SCC) program to manage electric vehicle charging and incentivize off-peak usage, and analyzing the potential of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for the PowerReady Program. She developed data analysis methodologies, recommended incentive calculation adjustments, and researched the viability of fuel cell technology for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. Her work supported Con Edison's Clean Energy Commitment and efforts to build a resilient, clean-energy-ready grid while accelerating electrification and improving EV charging access.

Goals

For the Smart Charge Commercial program, Ummamah aimed to develop and document a methodology for periodic data analysis and provide recommendations on incentive calculation adjustments. Her goal was to ensure the program's incentives were reasonable and effective in encouraging grid-beneficial charging behavior. Her other project was to document research on hydrogen as a transportation fuel source, benchmark against strategies in other states, and develop talking points for senior leadership on the business opportunity and feasibility of hydrogen fuel cell use in Con Edison's service territory. Ummamah's goals aligned with Con Edison's mission to lead the transition to a clean energy future while addressing the challenges of integrating new technologies into the energy grid.

Solutions

For the Smart Charge Commercial program, Ummamah analyzed charging data using Excel, Macro, and Python to identify trends and discrepancies between interval and session data. She created polynomial regression charts and violin plots to understand correlations between variables. She conducted sensitivity analyses through a macro simulation model and implemented a machine learning approach to identify optimal data modifiers for incentive calculations. She recommended implementing different modifiers for Level 2 and DC Fast Charging stations, bifurcated by utilization patterns and number of chargers. Ummamah researched fuel cell vehicles, comparing them to battery electric and internal combustion engine vehicles. She analyzed technology, efficiency, environmental impact, hydrogen production methods, performance metrics, infrastructure requirements, and economic factors. Ummamah consulted with industry experts to gain insights into the hydrogen business case. Based on her findings, she developed a presentation on the potential business opportunities and future outlook of hydrogen fuel for Con Edison, along with documentation of her research on the hydrogen and fuel cell vehicle market.

Potential Impact

Ummamah's work on the SCC program will contribute towards improving the accuracy and effectiveness of incentives for grid-beneficial charging behavior. Her data analysis methodologies and recommendations for adjusting incentive calculations will help optimize the program, potentially accelerating EV adoption and reducing the need for infrastructure upgrades. Her research on fuel cell vehicles provided Con Edison with valuable insights into this technology's potential for medium and heavy-duty vehicles. While Ummamah concluded that fuel cell vehicles currently lag behind electric vehicles in many aspects, her work laid the groundwork to monitor and engage with this emerging technology in the future, positioning Con Edison to make informed decisions about supporting clean transportation options as the market evolves.

Related Links