EVgo Receives Energy Storage North America 2016 Innovation Award

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One of the top electric vehicle charging station firms in the US, EVgo, has won an Energy Storage North America 2016 Innovation Award for its Stationary Storage + Electric Charging (SSPEC) project, according to an email sent to CleanTechnica.

To explain, the EVgo SSPEC project was created to help develop ways of lowering the cost and immediate power demand of electric vehicle (EV) charging to host facilities. To be more specific, it explores the incorporation of energy storage with DC Fast Charging infrastructure.

The project used 4 BMW Group 2nd-life batteries taken from retired test fleet EVs. The batteries were used alongside a solar photovoltaic (PV) system and intelligent site power control.

“DC Fast Charging plus storage presents an exciting opportunity for drivers and charging companies alike,” stated Terry O’Day, Vice President, Product Strategy and Market Development at EVgo. “This project has the potential to shortcut some of the barriers facilities face when looking to install DC Fast Charging stations by reducing operating costs, improving charging service and convenience for EV drivers, and ultimately can help to put more electric vehicles on the road.”

The email provides more information: “For the SSPEC project, EVgo partnered with the University of California San Diego, which is recognized as one of the top 15 research universities worldwide and operates what is considered one of the world’s most advanced microgrids. EVgo worked with UC San Diego to locate a demonstration site on the campus microgrid that would also ensure the stations would be accessible to the public and which results in the chargers serving over 100 drivers per week. The project is part of the CPUC Technology Demonstration Program, a program designed to help demonstrate the benefits of energy storage coupled with public DC Fast Charging stations.”

“The EVgo SSPEC project was a great success in achieving affordability and accessibility in DC Fast Charging,” commented Byron Washom, Director of Strategic Energy Initiatives of UC San Diego. “We have received hugely positive feedback, with customers saying the exceptionally well-designed structure is shaded during the day, well lit for safety at night, effortless to operate and that the location is very convenient as well.”