Siemens SiCharge Flex Can Supply Up To 1.68 MW Of Power
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Recently, we reported that the European Commission has approved a plan to create a high power charging network for heavy-duty trucks that spans most of the continent. That plan has two major components, each with its own smaller branches.
The first is the North Sea–Baltic route, which begins in Rotterdam and runs through the Netherlands or Belgium, and on into Germany and Poland before dividing into two routes — one that goes to Ukraine and one that goes into the Baltic States and across the Baltic Sea to Finland.
The second is the Scandinavian–Mediterranean corridor that begins in northern Scandinavia — with links to Helsinki, Oslo, Stockholm, and Copenhagen — and then goes through Germany and Austria to southern Italy. Within Germany, the route passes through Hamburg, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, and Munich, with a branch line from Nuremberg via Berlin to the Baltic coast.
This week, Siemens announced its latest megawatt-capable charging system, called SiCharge Flex, can deliver up to 1.68 MW of power — the highest of any known charging equipment. And the very first SiCharge Flex will be installed at a forecourt operated by OMV in Kufstein, Germany, which is on the A12 corridor connecting Germany and Italy. In other words, it will support the high-power charging network just approved by the EC.
Electrive says the site will be designed for electric cars as well as electric trucks and buses. In the first phase, six charging points will be installed, with an expansion to ten charging points planned after the local distribution network operator has reinforced the grid.
Siemens Promotes Flexible Charging
Now, to be clear, the SiCharge Flex has 1.68 MW of charging power, but if there are four vehicles charging at any one time, each will have access to a maximum of 480 kW. What is important about the Siemens system is that it can adjust the output to any individual charger while the charging process is happening.
We know that electric cars do not charge at their maximum rated power every second they are plugged in. The battery management system in each vehicle adjusts the charging rate to match the vehicle’s ability to accept electrons. Some of that depends on battery temperature, but some of it is pre-programmed by the manufacturer.
No one wants to sacrifice safety in order to charge more quickly if there is a risk of a battery fire. The charge rate of all electric vehicles tends to taper as the battery gets closer to being fully charged. If the Siemens system detects that the charge rate in Vehicle A is slowing down, it can boost the charge rate to Vehicle B, so long as the maximum power of 1.68 MW is not exceeded. Sweet!
In a press release, Siemens said, “SiCharge Flex sets new benchmarks in technical performance and operational flexibility. At its core is a pioneering fully dynamic power distribution system, which intelligently allocates power across multiple charging points based on real-time vehicle demand. This means that all power groups are routable to all outlets in all configurations, delivering the right power to the right outlet at the right time.”
The press release adds that the system has “an industry-leading power density, enabling high-capacity charging within a remarkably compact footprint (up to 656 kW/m2).” In addition, the charge points can be wall mounted or floor mounted and can be located up to 300 meters from the control cabinet.
SiCharge Flex Really Is Flexible
The SiCharge Flex system consists of a control cabinet with a power supply unit and one or more charging points. The system supports both the CCS and MCS charging standards. Six CCS charging points or four MCS charging points can be installed in a single system — or a combination of both.
Combining a CCS and MCS charging point at a single charge point is also possible, in which case only one of the plugs can be used at a time. The other is blocked during charging. Siemens refers to this as “dual-plug, single-use.” Siemens will later expand its offerings and also offer systems with 12 or 18 CCS charging points.
In a statement, Markus Mildner, the head of eMobility at Siemens Smart Infrastructure said: “The introduction of SiCharge Flex marks a significant milestone in our journey to build a comprehensive and sustainable E-Mobility ecosystem. This solution embodies our vision for a future where EV charging is not only fast and reliable, but also seamlessly integrated and highly efficient. SiCharge Flex empowers our customers to confidently scale their operations, optimize energy use, and contribute to a cleaner, more electrified world.”
The heart of the SiCharge Flex system is the charging cabinet, which is located on the periphery of the charging facility and supplies electricity to up to 4 MW chargers or 6 CCS chargers or a combination of both. The cabinet is available in three sizes and can deliver an output of 480 kW to 1.68 megawatts at a current of 1,500 A.
That means the Siemens system is significantly more powerful than the first megawatt products from competitors such as Alpitronic’s HYC1000, which delivers exactly one megawatt; ABB’s MCS charging station, which delivers 1.2 megawatts — as does the Kempower system — while the MCS charger from Power Electronics used by Milence delivers 1.44 megawatts.
The Grid Connection Is Key
Of course, the key to MW+ systems is access to a grid connection that can supply the electricity needed in the first place. For instance, the OMV location in Kufstein will need a more robust grid connection to expand the number of chargers available in the future. Of course, onsite battery storage would be helpful, if there is room available.
Eric Schulze, who is in charge of retail mobility and convenience at OMV, said in a statement: “At OMV, our mission is to provide our customers with reliable, high-performance charging infrastructure that meets the demands of modern mobility — today and tomorrow. The new site in Kufstein is a prime example of how we combine strategic location planning with cutting edge technology to deliver real value: fast charging for eTrucks, eBuses and passenger cars, seamless user experience, and future-ready scalability.”
Today there are very few vehicles with MCS connections, let alone those that can accept such high charging power. The highest charging power achieved to date in a real-world test is 1.14 megawatts in a trial by Designwerk. Electrive notes that MCS is currently only intended for electric trucks and buses with batteries of 500 kWh or more that take a long time to charge using CCS equipment.
But that means the Sicharge Flex is is likely to be future-proof for several years. Another factor to consider when it comes to achieving maximum charging power is whether and how many vehicles have to share it. Now truck and bus manufacturers can design vehicles that can accept such a high charging power, knowing the equipment needed to keep them in operation will be available when needed.
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