Microgrids under the spotlight at USA’s biggest net zero transport expo

TPS CEO Carlos Neves and Engineering & Business Development Director Nigel Jakeman are with partners from across the EV sector at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim this week catching up on the latest industry insights and the game changing new tech coming onstream.

It’s been especially great to be here to watch Prologis Mobility share insights gleaned 12 months into their joint 10MW Denker Microgrid project, which takes a de-centralised energy solution approach to enable greater scaled electrification of fleets.

As global specialist in fulfilment, distribution, transportation and logistic infrastructure, with a network of over 5,800 warehouses, Prologis is at the forefront of the EV transition.  Through subsidiary Prologis Mobility, they are on a mission to make the shift to zero-emissions transportation seamless while driving economic efficiency for their customers.

The de-centralised microgrid approach to fleet charging we see here is going to be crucial to smashing down the hefty barriers currently faced by fleet operators seeking to electrify.

So, what do we mean by a de-centralised microgrid?

With a DC microgrid we’re able to make full use of renewables and enjoy the cost benefits, while also supporting the Distribution Grid by freeing it of demand

We have two sources of power available. The electricity Distribution Grid, aka ‘the Grid’, which distributes AC power generated by large generation sources. And second, we have local renewables – for example Solar PV- which provide DC. Neither on its own can currently meet the power demand which will be needed to charge the world’s ever-increasing fleet of EVs

But if you combine the capacity of the two to provide a single, stable, intelligent supply, you’ve both solved the EV power shortfall -almost completely ignored to date- and laid to rest the growing unease around the amount of renewable energy we’re currently having to curtail -and the alarming cost involved* (read more about Curtailment here)

Like many renewable sources, EVs and battery storage systems are DC. So connecting them all together via a localised DC network means you can make full use of the renewable power generated in the most effective and efficient way possible.

Free from the limitations of Grid frailty, you can use that power in a much smarter way by storing it, then moving it quickly and efficiently around the microgrid to where it’s needed, to charge EVs and through V2X to service other local demand such as offices and depots.  And you can do all this without incurring the further inefficiencies and complications associated with converting it to/from AC power to be compatible for exchange with the Grid.

At TPS we’ve taken this concept a leap further, creating our own suite of technologically advanced infrastructure tailor made for this microgrid approach.

SMART FLEET delivers a DC microgrid on which battery storage, local generation and our powerful bi-directional VELOX chargers are connected to deliver Ultra-Rapid charging for large fleet vehicles with extreme levels of efficiency.

The microgrid is controlled by our POTENZA grid connection range, which can support import / export (V2G) capability via our Distribution Grid Inverter or import only (V2X) via our Distribution Transformer Rectifier.

To give a UK example, Veolia has deployed SMART FLEET as part of their ambitious 4billion Euro de-carbonisation drive.  You can get a flavour here: Helping to Power Veolia’s 4 billion Euro Decarbonisation pledge. – Turbo Power Systems

More highlights and insights from the Expo will follow.  Meantime if you would like to talk to us about how our MCS-ready Smart Fleet EV Charging solution can give you all the power you need while delivering real ROI back to you, please Contact Us | Find Out How We Can Help | Turbo Power Systems

Today you need a partner that’s much more than just a charger manufacturer. You need one that understands the entire power ecosystem to provide you with the charging solution today, which will evolve, adapt, and grow as we move into the ever-changing world of tomorrow.
At TPS, we’re offering the power of tomorrow. Today.