Sustainable mobility in urban areas – Turku University of Applied Sciences developed fast charging stations for electric bikes

Fast-charging stations for electric bicycles have been introduced in Turku. The new energy research group at Turku University of Applied Sciences implemented the stations as part of a research project to develop energy-positive cities. The charging station supports sustainable mobility and the use of renewable energy in urban areas.

Electric bicycle charging station in the student village of Turku. Photo: Siiri Welling

Text by Minna Salakari

The charging stations located in the Student Village in Turku enable fast and efficient charging of electric bikes: with the push of a button, the bike can travel 20 kilometres more with just half an hour of charging. The stations use the latest technology to ensure environmental and user-friendliness.

– Charging is free of charge for users, and the station allows two bikes to be charged at the same time. The charging station is suitable for different makes of bikes, says Eelis Niemi and Petri Jylhä, student assistants in the New Energy research group at Turku University of Applied Sciences, who were involved in the development.

Electric bikes as part of sustainable urban mobility and climate solutions

Electric bikes offer an environmentally friendly alternative to car travel, especially in areas where short distances can be covered by bike. In urban transport, they can reduce congestion, fine particulate emissions and noise, thus improving the quality of life in urban environments.

– If there were more and wider charging points, people in Turku would be able to cycle longer distances. I would see this as a great opportunity and an alternative to skateboarding,” says Jylhä.

Compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, electric bikes produce significantly less carbon dioxide. Sustainability is therefore one of the pillars of e-biking: reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transport is an important objective not only for regional but also for global climate work.

The electric bike is one concrete solution to reduce CO2 emissions and charging stations contribute to this development. It is also an example of how project work can have a concrete impact on life and sustainable development,” says Jylhä.

Energy-positive cities – drivers of sustainable development

Energy-positive cities are regions that produce more energy than they consume. This is achieved by combining energy-efficient solutions, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, and smart energy management systems.

The cities of the future will be increasingly able to make use of locally produced energy. Smart grids optimise energy production and consumption by responding to demand in real time, Samuli Ranta, Lecturer and Research Group Leader says.

Fast-charging stations for electric bikes are just the beginning: the New Energy Research Group continues its pioneering work on sustainability.

– An energy management system is being developed between the buildings of the Student Village. It will allow the energy consumption of the different buildings in the area to be monitored, managed and optimised as a whole,” says Niemi, who is studying information technology.

The system can monitor the energy needs of buildings and adjust functions such as heating, ventilation and lighting to smooth out peaks in consumption and save energy.

Energy positivity is pursued through close cooperation between residents, businesses and city authorities. This promotes sustainable development, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and increases urban self-sufficiency.

The article was published on 2.10.2024 on the previous turkuamk.fi website.