Solar Storage Fast Charger
In 2016, Alfen, Stedin and MisterGreen Electric Lease launched a pilot in which a fast charging station for electric cars was equipped with solar panels and a battery. The pilot is now being evaluated as a success: peak loads were reduced, maximum flexibility in the application of variable tariffs was created and greening of the charging station took place.
There are more and more electric cars and that means more and more charging stations are needed as well. In 2013, MisterGreen built the Haarrijn fast-charging station on the A2 between Amsterdam and Utrecht. In 2016, a pilot with solar panels and storage began here. The solar panels supplied the charging station with electricity. When no car was being charged, the energy flowed into the battery so that the energy could still be used at a later charging time. This allowed maximum use of the self-generated renewable energy. Where the solar panels could not meet the need, there was always the option of falling back on the grid.
An evaluation took place after a year and the three initiators are extremely satisfied with the project. 'Practice is always more obstinate than theory, but that didn't prove to be the case here,' said David Peters, Stedin's Director of Strategy & Innovation. 'Because the charging sessions do not have to be constantly pulled from our grid, our cables were less stressed. This teaches us how to deal with peaks on our grid, which is very valuable for the energy transition. And in addition, the cables wear out less. With the lessons, we can save costs that we don't have to pass on to our customers now.
The project is also a success for MisterGreen: "This pilot has given us a lot of insight into how Energy Storage impacts the grid and application. What we ultimately want to move towards is flexible tariffs for electric drivers. The combination of solar panels and storage offers maximum flexibility for this. It's great when we can offer cheaper electricity when the wind blows harder in the Netherlands or when the sun is shining brightly," explains Mark Schreurs of MisterGreen.
Richard Jongsma, Commercial Director at Alfen adds, "It's good to see that our energy storage system contributes to the greening of the station by maximizing the use of solar energy to charge cars and that assets can be optimally managed.
Commissioning date
01-01-2016
Owner of the project
Alfen
Street and house number
Haarrijn
Province
Utrecht
