Fast recharging energy service everywhere on the road

ongoing

LIFE FREESVEE – “Fast Recharging EnErgy Service eVErywhEre on the road” addresses the transition to electric mobility, proposing high-level technology solutions for public ultra-fast charging of electric vehicles anywhere, eliminating the need for a high-powered electricity grid to provide service. The proposed solutions employ novel techniques that are applicable to different configurations of both grid-connected and standalone charging points. Therefore, for demonstration purpose, two pilot prototypes are going to be implemented in two service stations with different characteristics, in order to try and validate different technologies and configurations: (1) the first prototype addresses the general case of a grid-connected service station in a built-up area. It shows the optimal management of an ultra-fast EV charging station with a moderate power grid connection, without the need to increase it; (2) the second prototype seeks to show the possibility of ultra-fast EV charging in a service station with a weak grid (low power connection, with grid outages or even in the absence of a grid), in a sparsely populated area. Both prototypes will be configured as a microgrid that incorporates renewable generation, short-duration storage (in Li-ion batteries) and long-duration storage (in the case of prototype 2, in a Vanadium redox flow battery), EV ultra-fast charging and the usual service station loads demand. A smart controller will be developed for the optimal energy management in both service stations. LIFE FREESVEE will also carry out the analysis of the different configurations of service stations, in order to identify their technical, economic and legislative characteristics and address the challenges they face in adopting electric mobility. In this way, the project aims to solve a major problem for the fast and complete deployment of electric mobility as a way to mitigate climate change.