Hamburg, 29.4.2024 – High power charging is still the exception rather than the rule in many regions of Germany. The reason: A grid expansion for a high-power direct current (DC) connection can take a long time to be approved and built – up to 18 months in some regions. Based on their framework agreement for the supply of charging infrastructure, Vattenfall and XCharge Europe GmbH are testing a battery-integrated charging station at a first location. Vattenfall relies on the XCharge Net Zero Series (NZS) smart energy solution to enable high-performance charging at these locations in a flexible and unbureaucratic way. Equipped with an integrated 233 kWh battery, it is characterized by the ability to offer the user a charging capacity of up to 210 kW despite a low connected load of only 60 kW.
The first venue for this test is the parking lot of the famila supermarket on the Westring in Wildeshausen, Lower Saxony. Vattenfall is using the location as a test run for other similar sites in its portfolio, where it has replaced the existing AC chargers with a Net Zero Series battery-integrated fast charger. From now on, consumers can get their vehicle charged for their next trip in the parking lot while shopping. The NZS enables all electric vehicles with a CCS connection to charge easily and quickly, thereby increasing the attractiveness of shops or markets as a shopping destination for consumers.
Stabilization of the power grid during high utilization
Vattenfall is conducting the trial in order to make fast-charging stations available in many more low-power grid connection areas in the future. Thanks to its integrated 233 kWh battery, the NZS enables so-called peak shaving: it balances load peaks by storing electricity in its battery during periods of low grid utilisation and, if required, delivering high outputs of up to 210 kW to consumers even when the power grid is exposed to a high load. As a result, XCharge's solution helps stabilize the grid during peak consumption periods, while consumers benefit from a first-class fast-charging experience. The NZS can be easily installed in a wide range of locations with a standard industrial plug.
The cooperation between Vattenfall and XCharge began with the deployment of C6EU chargers in Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden in 2022. Both partners plan to strengthen and further expand their cooperation.
"With our Net Zero Series at parking lots of stores of all kinds, we are providing consumers with a premium fast-charging experience while they do their shopping," explains Albina Iljasov, Head of Europe at XCharge. "Convenience is further enhanced by the fact that the battery-powered solution enables fast charging even during times when the power grid is heavily utilized."
Tim Gansczyk, Managing Director of Vattenfall E-Mobility Germany, shared: "With Vattenfall InCharge, we are building one of the largest charging networks in Europe. In Germany in particular, we are investing around 100 million euros per year in the expansion of publicly accessible fast-charging stations. An important key to our success is our suppliers and partners. We are very pleased about the successful cooperation with XCharge and the testing of the new fast charger with battery storage."
About Vattenfall
Vattenfall is a European energy company with approximately 21,000 employees. For more than 100 years we have electrified industries, supplied energy to people's homes and modernised our way of living through innovation and cooperation. We are working for fossil freedom. More: https://group.vattenfall.com/de
About XCharge Europe
XCharge Europe is a provider of high-power and battery-integrated charging solutions. Headquartered in Hamburg since 2017, the company supports industry leaders with innovative charging solutions and reliable after-sales service. With the addition of a new test lab in Hamburg in 2024, alongside the SGS testing facility in Madrid, XCharge Europe reinforces its commitment to the European market, enabling rigorous product testing, tailored solutions, and the advancement of e-mobility across the region.