Graduation 2025: PhD graduate powers ahead with electric vehicle research

After years of dedication, Ashish Kumar Karmaker completed his PhD in electrical engineering with a focus on improving how electric vehicles (EVs) are integrated into Australia’s local electricity networks—especially in areas that use a lot of solar and other renewable energy.

As more Australians switch to EVs and install solar panels at home, our electricity networks are under pressure to keep up. If too many EVs charge at the same time or solar panels feed excess power into the grid, it can place heavy stress on the local electricity network, affecting its performance and reliability.

Ashish’s research developed smart models to predict EV charging patterns and guide their placement in both urban and regional energy networks using a scalable planning approach —promoting environmental sustainability and providing tangible benefits to consumers and all relevant stakeholders, including network operators and charging station owners. 

“I wanted to create practical, cost-effective solutions that balance network integrity with customer needs,” Ashish said.

“High solar potential uptake creates both opportunities and challenges for EV integration."

“Collaborating with CSIRO, Newcastle Energy Centre and other partners helped me see the real-world issues and inspired me to find solutions.”

Choosing UNSW Canberra was a deliberate decision for Ashish.

“I had other offers, but UNSW’s global reputation and strong research environment made it the right fit for me,” he said.

During his time at UNSW Canberra, he presented at international conferences, worked with industry experts, and tackled complex problems like limited access to real EV and solar data from Australia. To overcome this, he built models that simulate realistic EV usage within local Australian contexts and adapted them for application across different regions.  His research has been published in high-impact Q1 journals, contributing to the global understanding of EV integration and renewable energy networks.

Outside of his research, he found balance through playing cricket, attending campus events, and exploring the natural beauty of Canberra’s mountains.

“Those moments helped me maintain balance, stay refreshed and motivated,” he said.

Looking ahead, Ashish is committed to continuing his work in EV and renewable integration, aiming to help build smart, flexible energy systems that support large-scale adoption in Far North Queensland in his new role at James Cook University.

His advice for future students is to stay curious and focus on solving real-world problems.

“While publications are important, doing impactful research that addresses real challenges is even more valuable,” he said.

“Since technical knowledge and industry resources are constantly evolving, continuous learning and collaboration are essential to make your journey in electrical engineering or higher studies both rewarding and meaningful.”

Ashish’s journey is a powerful reminder of how research, collaboration, and passion can drive meaningful change—both in Australia and beyond.