Installing an EV charging hub underground
UK Power Networks Services worked with bp pulse to install 22 50kW rapid electric vehicle chargers below Park Lane in central London. Completed last year, the project launched the UK’s first EV charging hub.
bp pulse, one of the UK’s largest Charge Point Operators, are currently rolling-out EV charging hubs throughout the UK, including at traditional forecourt sites and inner-city locations like multi-storey car parks. The project was designed in response to increased demand from local electric taxis and private hire vehicle operators in and around central London.
Installing a rapid charging hub in the underground car park posed major engineering challenges for the team. This included both how to safely and seamlessly fit industrial-scale electricity substations into a confined space, and how to manage capacity constraints with the local electricity network. The site also had to stay open as a working car park during the project.
Both companies worked together to manage the grid-connection, substation, and electrical network infrastructure installation for the project. This included an innovative ‘double-skin brick-built’ enclosures for the underground electricity substations.
Gary Gregory, Client Delivery Manager at UK Power Networks Services, said: “An underground environment gives us lots of challenges in getting power to the site. There are lots of obstacles within the car park, like the concrete pillars, there was difficult access, and a simple lack of physical space. For this project we either removed them or overcame those obstacles, using all our knowledge and skills to deliver. I’m very proud of that.”
Kieran Coughlan, Head of Strategic Advisory Services, added: “One of the key elements of our strategy is supporting clients in delivering a more sustainable future. This project is a great example of that. We’re really excited about how we’re going to support fleet customers, and other customers over the coming years, in how to make that charging infrastructure available.”
Watch the video at: https://www.ukpowernetworksservices.co.uk/case-studies/ev-charging-hub-for-bp-pulse/
Image courtesy of UK Power Networks Services.
