Eric McDonald
CEM, LEED AP
NextEnergy | Chief Technologist
Speaker
Track H: Decarbonization and Electrification
Session H3: EVs and Transportation
September 27, 2024 | 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Where Electrons Meet Asphalt—Paving the Way for Inductive Road Charging Infrastructure
Detroit in December of 2023 saw the opening of the first public access road in the U.S. equipped with dynamic inductive electric vehicle charging. Charging developer Electreon, along with partners Jacobs, Michigan DOT, Michigan Central, Detroit DPW and NextEnergy worked together to design, permit, and install the first city block of inductive vehicle charging. This first block is the beginning of what eventually will be a mile of contiguous inductive charging on a public road. The roads are open to any public or private vehicles. But to receive a charge, a vehicle must have a receiver. Coils in the wearing course of asphalt transmit electricity to the receiver on the vehicle, continually topping off the state of charge of the on-board vehicle battery. The electric charge can be transmitted only to a receiver. So, pedestrians and animals are safe from any electricity. Roadside management units contain the power electronics which manage the electricity delivered to the electric vehicles. This session provides an account of the physical and logistical complexities of this first in the nation installation.
Speaker Bio
Eric McDonald is CHief Technologist at NextEnergy where he oversees all infrastructure operations and projects. McDonald has over twenty years’ experience in management of capital improvements and infrastructure development and redevelopment for major construction managers and property owners. McDonald has been involved on a diversity of projects including complete mechanical and electrical upgrades to industrial and commercial buildings; industrial backup power generation; civil, commercial, and industrial construction; landfill inspection and planning; and environmental remediation.
McDonald has a BA in Design from the University of Michigan and an MS in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University. He has a Certified Energy Manager credential from the Association of Energy Engineers, and has LEED Accredited Professional designation from the USGBC.
