Abdul-Razak A
lidu, a second-year Ph.D. student in the Built Environments at the University of Washington, has been awarded the Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation (RESF) Scholarship in recognition of his research and leadership in equitable transportation electrification and clean energy infrastructure planning.
Alidu’s research focuses on the equitable planning of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, including charger allocation, station capacity sizing, and life-cycle cost analysis. His work aims to develop data-driven frameworks that support cost-effective investment in EV infrastructure while ensuring access for underserved communities that often face barriers to adopting clean transportation.
As a Clean Energy Institute (CEI) Fellow and member of the Energy and Sustainability in Construction (ESC) Lab, Alidu works at the intersection of electrification, infrastructure planning, and energy equity. His research includes collaborations with industry and public agencies, including recent work with the Port of Seattle on EV charging recommendations by location and charger type, and cost estimation to support the Port, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA Airport) and the Port’s Maritime Division in developing a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with aviation and cruise ship passenger travel via taxis and transportation network companies.
Originally from northern Ghana, Alidu earned a B.Sc. in Construction Technology and Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and later completed an M.Sc. in Construction Management supported by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund). Prior to joining UW, he served as a teaching assistant and held several student leadership roles focused on expanding access to higher education for students from underserved regions.
Reflecting on the award, Alidu noted that his long-term goal is to contribute to clean energy systems that are both technically effective and socially inclusive.
“Equity should not be an afterthought in the clean energy transition,” he said. “My research focuses on ensuring that infrastructure planning supports communities that depend most on public access to clean transportation systems.”
The Renewable Energy Scholarship Foundation supports students whose work advances renewable energy, electrification, and equitable energy solutions across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.