Shell Opens Megawatt Charger for Trucks & Vessels in Amsterdam

Shell has developed and commissioned its first megawatt charger at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA). Both electric trucks and electric ships can use the charging system. The capacity of the megawatt charger is approximately equal to three regular 350kW fast chargers that trucks now charge with.

“We want to help our customers in the logistics sector become more sustainable,” says Hilmar van den Dool, general manager of eMobility at Shell. “In addition to biofuels and LNG, we also invest in electric mobility. There are not many electric trucks and ships yet, so we are investing ahead of time in a market that is growing rapidly. It fits in with our aim to offer more and cleaner energy solutions.”

Melissa Williams, Managing Director at Shell Marine, added: “We believe this solution will be of benefit to shipping companies and logistics companies that have facilities served both waterside and landside. The megawatt charger also provides the flexibility to to charge a wide range of inland and port vessels, such as cargo ships, tugboats, service vessels and ferries. The great thing is that the technology is now available and ready for use.”

Renewable power from 3,600 solar panels

The megawatt charger is connected to ETCA’s own micro-electricity grid. This smart grid enables integration between energy supply, energy storage and energy demand. The ETCA microgrid includes 3,600 rooftop solar panels, battery storage, 119 EV chargers for regular cars, a hydrogen electrolyser and other research equipment.

Accommodating a wide range of vessels, vehicles and battery types

The loading system is equipped with two separate loading arms. One rotating arm is intended for electric ships, the other arm operates heavy electric trucks and buses. Shell hopes that this will create a universal standard and that it will no longer be necessary to work with different cables or couplings.

By placing a second adapter on each charging arm, the megawatt charger at ETCA is suitable for a wide range of vessels, vehicles and battery types for fast and flexible charging. Although the megawatt charger is a test setup, it is ready for use and vehicles and ships with a megawatt charging option can now visit by appointment.

Press release from Shell.