Advancements in Fast-Charging Station Infrastructure
As we look toward a future with increasing electric vehicle (EV) adoption, the demand for high-power charging stations along highways, at logistics hubs, and in public lots is set to soar. The existing low voltage power grid will not suffice to meet these escalated requirements.
Pioneering Medium Voltage Solutions
In collaboration with various industry partners, Fraunhofer ISE has embarked on the MS-Tankstelle project to innovate medium voltage technology tailored for fast-charging stations capable of handling peak loads reaching several megawatts. This new approach leverages efficient silicon carbide semiconductors and elevated voltages, which collectively optimize material usage and reduce operational costs for rapid charging facilities. These findings were presented at the 2024 Energy Conversion Congress & Expo Europe (ECCE Europe).
The system is designed for high efficiency and flexibility, accommodating diverse vehicle types and station sizes. Attendees can experience a demonstrative charging point during the E-World event in Essen, Germany from February 11-13 (Booth Hall 5, D 126).
The Growing requirement for Rapid Charging
The surge in EV popularity intensifies the need for fast-charging points that can service multiple vehicles simultaneously—similar to traditional gas stations today. This necessity is particularly critical on highways but extends equally into urban parking garages.
On average, a fast-charging unit delivers around 150 kW per passenger car; however, this demand increases up to approximately 350 kW when accommodating buses or delivery vans—and even higher capacities are expected as technology evolves. Given that electric recharging takes longer than conventional refueling habits, future infrastructures will likely require around fifteen or more charging ports compared to today’s standard eight gas pumps.
Strategizing Power Requirements
A collective view of fifteen charging ports could draw between 1.5 to 3.5 megawatts during concurrent usage sessions—signifying that traditional low-voltage grids cannot sustain future fast-charging systems efficiently. Even under suboptimal utilization conditions, individual power needs would exceed beyond essential thresholds of about 300 kW per station.
Moreover, managing power distribution within these installations via low-voltage configurations could incur prohibitively high installation costs while also causing considerable energy loss due to lengthy cable runs often stretching over distances like one hundred meters or more across various parking spaces.
A Medium Voltage Approach Designed For Efficiency
The innovative electronic power solution developed during this initiative—with collaborations from Sumida Components & Modules GmbH; Infineon Technologies AG; and AEG Powersolutions GmbH—utilizes an upgraded medium voltage grid set at a rectified value of 1,500 VDC. Enhancing voltage levels allows greater output capabilities without necessitating larger cable diameters.
This reduced reliance on copper resources markedly supports environmental sustainability efforts through effective resource management practices—all while adhering closely near established low-voltage guidelines (as values exceeding those thresholds invoke different standards).
Flexible Modular Designs Cater To New Demands
An electrically isolated converter links the DC network directly with vehicle batteries whilst regulating rapid charge cycles effectively across differing vehicle profiles—allowing seamless integration into existing infrastructure paradigms while providing adaptable modules operating at outputs up through 175 kW apiece.
This modular framework facilitates building multi-power configurations suitable not only cars but also heavy-duty trucks awaiting thorough electrical compatibility versus home-unit installation boxes often limited merely by lower amperage ratings.
By scaling smartly across component designs—the central rectifier alongside this innovative architecture streamlines its throughput amidst comprehensive material savings provisions especially relevant amid current surges in market demands encompassing wires/connectors/transmission landlords willingly investing renewed resources toward transformative solutions↘️!
Overall conformity towards CCS1/CCS2 standards already prevalent throughout European terrains encompasses support prioritizing advanced Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) too thus ensuring reliability hinges solely upon requisite adjustments contained primarily within minor units’ setups alone meaning procedural shifts should occur natively amongst newer frameworks developing fiscal promise trajectories galvanizing projections aimed confidently forth perpetrating stages bound comprehensively therein transforming landscapes anew!
“Our topology presented defines application potential extending beyond just rapid charge networks:”, states Andreas Hensel who heads High Power Electronics/System Technology divisions housed under Fraunhofer ISE.”< Digital portfolio models foregone aspirations pave roads onto energize remodeling frameworks validify promises witness proportions adapt genial align success ahead vitally embedߍ groundstage brilliance performance movement driven ensuring positive additions seen progressively driving innovation”
