Charging Energy Hubs: technology and collaboration make upscaling possible
How can we facilitate the electrification of logistics when the electricity grid is becoming increasingly congested? Charging energy hubs offer opportunities by cleverly combining local generation, storage, charging and energy management. On 8 September, partners and professionals gathered at the Charging Energy Hubs Mid-term Event hosted by ElaadNL in Arnhem to take stock after more than two years of development, research and testing. The central question was: what is needed to scale up these innovations?
Flexibility offers scope
The electrification of logistics is creating a significant increase in electricity demand. Around 80 per cent of this demand is concentrated in business parks, for example at depots and logistics charging hubs. Expanding the electricity grid remains essential, but flexibility can help to make better use of the available capacity.
The Charging Energy Hubs project is investigating how local generation, energy storage and the charging of electric vehicles can be intelligently coordinated. The results show that shifting charging demand can remove 67 per cent of the demand from peak hours and improve the use of locally generated renewable energy by 59 per cent.
Various innovations come together
The parallel sessions demonstrated just how wide-ranging the innovation challenge is. Sander Drissen (Scholt), Peter Boon (Maxem) and Kristian Winge (Sycada) discussed smart software and more efficient charging using the same grid connection. Thomas Gerrits and Roland Kahman (Siemens eMobility) and Lars Gelling (Heijmans) discussed the possibilities of a local DC connection between charging infrastructure, storage and generation.
Design, installation, supporting tools and applications at fast-charging locations were also covered. Experts from organisations including TNO, ACE Mobility, NKL Nederland and Milence brought together their knowledge and practical experience.
This underlines an important insight: a charging energy hub is not a stand-alone technology. Software, charging technology, storage, generation and infrastructure must function as a single system.
Scaling up is more than just rolling out technology
Furthermore, there is no standard charging energy hub. Energy demand, grid connection, local generation and users vary from one location to another. Scaling up therefore does not mean applying the same solution everywhere.
During one of the sessions, Bart Kaas and Tamara Oukes (TNO) and Rob Kroon (FIER) investigated which barriers still stand in the way of wider adoption. This question also came up in the closing panel discussion with representatives from TSN Groen, REF, Damen, RAI AINL, the National Growth Fund and RVO.
The participants were presented with four potential obstacles: technology, the business case, regulations and collaboration. Technology was cited remarkably rarely as the main barrier. As summarised during the panel: “I think the technology is already in place.”
The challenge therefore shifts to implementation. Technical solutions must also be economically viable, comply with regulations and align with standards and the practical needs of different users.
From knowledge to wider application
For further upscaling, it is also important that the knowledge gained reaches a wider group of entrepreneurs. During the event, the question was explicitly raised as to how smaller logistics businesses can benefit from the insights gained from research, pilot projects and practical case studies. They do not always have their own innovation department or extensive knowledge of the energy market.
The next phase of Charging Energy Hubs will therefore increasingly focus on translating knowledge into practical solutions and connecting the parties needed to put these into practice.
Or, as was said during the closing panel:
“We can’t do it alone either.”
