Nerve Smart Systems is partnering with DTU (Technical University of Denmark), OK a.m.b.a. and Fremsyn on a new development project, which will integrate battery technology able to charge an electric vehicle with up to 350kW, while at the same time stabilize the power grid with minimal energy loss and high power electronics expense.
Among the three biggest challenges to the power grid of the future is the integration of renewable energy, the charging of electric vehicles and consumption curves that do not match the production. One of the primary reasons why people decide to not buy electric vehicles is the current charging infrastructure and the long waiting time it takes to charge the electric vehicles when driving more than 300 km.
The potential for an integrated battery solution which can both store renewable energy, stabilize the power grid and fast charge electric vehicles is therefore huge. “We will be able to deliver a battery buffered High Power Charger (B-HPC) that is at least 30% cheaper than the competing solutions while also cutting the energy loss in half compared to the traditional power electronics” says Jesper Boie Rasmussen, CEO of Nerve Smart Systems ApS.
TOPChargE, as the development project is called, is led by a strong and diverse consortium that includes Nerve Smart Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Fremsyn and OK A.M.B.A. One of OK’s 670 fuel stations is expected to be used as a demonstration of the B-HPC on both a technological and commercial level.
Nerve Smart Systems’ technology, Nerve Switch®, is unique because the voltage level can be controlled directly at the cell level. By either activating or bypassing individual cells in a large battery string, it is possible to adjust the amount of voltage, depending on the need, both when charging and discharging the battery. A prototype of the Nerve Switch® battery was developed with financing from EUHorizon2020 and a private investor. The additional support to the TOPChargE project from both the EUDP and IFD will be used to, respectively, develop and demonstrate the integration of power grids and charging of various electric vehicles in practice.
Currently there are no other systems that are able to integrate a battery storage in a fast charger, without using expensive power electronics to control the amount of kW the system can use to charge an electric vehicle with. When the cheaper charging integration is combined with the opportunity to offer various services, that battery storages integrated into the power grid is able to do, then you have a really great foundation for both the society and companies.
“We are, for example, able to charge the battery storage when the power grid is receiving an overproduction of wind energy, to later use this energy to charge electric vehicles or send it back to the power grid when renewable production is lower. We can facilitate a greater use of green energy for both charging electric vehicles and powering ordinary households”, says Jesper Boie Rasmussen, CEO of Nerve Smart Systems.
The partners and their contribution:
Nerve Smart Systems ApS: is the work package leader of high-power charging, system integration and design of battery systems as well as developing, designing, and commissioning of high-power charging system.
DTU: will test the control of conventional fast chargers for electric vehicles in combination with a battery as well as test the charger prototype (B-HPC) being developed in the project. DTU will also test and research the integration between the B-HPC and the power grid.
OK a.m.b.a.: With more than 670 fuel stations, OK provides access to Denmark’s most extensive infrastructure within resource distribution for the transport sector. The OK corporation already buys and sells power; therefore, it is a natural next step for them to become charge point operators. They will then sell power in a similar fashion to how they sell fuel today. OK will develop the IT system that will handle the payment system and the communication with other Emobility service providers.
Fremsyn ApS: will prepare financial analyses which will help underpin various services related to the stabilization of power grids and business opportunities for the consortium partners.
