Gridserve installs battery and solar power solution

Charging firm Gridserve has installed a new energy solution at Cornwall Services that combines batteries and solar energy to supplement the existing grid connection to deliver ten-times the charging power. 

As a result of the solution, the hub will now be able to open on the A30 with six high power 350kW-capable chargers and six low power AC chargers for overnight use by the adjacent hotel guest’s.

The solution uses the existing 100kW grid connection, a lithium-ion battery, solar energy and the latest software developed by Gridserve Technologies to provide additional charging power on the busy route, replacing the two chargers previously installed on the site.. Chargers will be limited from providing full power whilst a testing and optimisation phase is worked through, which is expected to take several months. 

The 1MW SEC 1000 battery is being monitored by the company and will use intelligent programming to manage its load and output. The software considers available grid connection power, the state of charge the battery, the time of day, the solar output and the power requested by all the vehicles charging to maximise charging speeds and throughput while minimising time spent at the chargers.

To aid with future demand, planning permission is also being sought to build a solar farm adjacent to Cornwall Services, which will be directly connected to the battery and chargers, to deliver up to four million zero carbon miles energy directly into electric vehicles every year. 

Toddington Harper, Gridserve CEO, said; “We hope the innovative technology we have deployed at this location can also become a blueprint for others, where larger grid connections will be too slow to deliver to keep up with the demand that the rapid transition to electric vehicles presents. We have also submitted plans to further increase energy capacity at the site in future with an adjacent solar farm, which will allow us to deliver up to 4 million zero carbon miles energy directly into electric vehicles every year. 

“Whilst we are still in the initial stages of the project, the Electric Super Hub has already proven itself through the Easter and early May Bank holidays charging over 100 cars a day during busy periods. We are also excited for what is still to come at Cornwall Services as we continue to refine and optimise the system over time to deliver the best possible charging experience, powered by sustainable zero carbon energy.”

Andrew King, Commercial Manager at Cornwall Services; said; “An increased number of faster charging bays will only make our customers’ lives easier and we look forward to continuing our mission to offer best-in-class facilities to our many loyal customers while minimising our environmental impact.”

Image from Gridserve

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