Buckinghamshire's Gridserve unveils major new EV charging solution for Cornwall service station
Buckinghamshire-based Gridserve, the electric vehicle (EV) charging specialist, has unveiled a major innovative solution for Cornwall Services, which will deliver ten times' the charging power at the key service station on the A30 near Bodmin.
In what is a UK first, the two legacy 50kW chargers, which were previously installed at the site, have now been replaced with 12 state-of-the-art new chargers along with a state-of-the-art solar canopy.
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A 1MW battery is monitored by GRIDSERVE Technologies hardware and uses intelligent software, which can assess such factors as available grid connection power, the time of day and the solar output.
What's more, GRIDSERVE has submitted planning permission to build a solar farm next to the services, which will directly connect to the battery and chargers, to deliver up to four million zero carbon miles energy directly into EVs each year.
GRIDSERVE CEO Toddington Harper said: "We hope the innovative technology we have deployed at this location can also become a blueprint for others, where larger grid connections will be too slow to deliver to keep up with the demand that the rapid transition to electric vehicles presents.
"We have also submitted plans to further increase energy capacity at the site in future with an adjacent solar farm, which will allow us to deliver up to 4 million zero carbon miles energy directly into electric vehicles every year."
He added: "Whilst we are still in the initial stages of the project, the Electric Super Hub has already proven itself through the Easter and early May Bank holidays charging over 100 cars a day during busy periods.
"We are also excited for what is still to come at Cornwall Services as we continue to refine and optimise the system over time to deliver the best possible charging experience, powered by sustainable zero carbon energy," he said.
Andrew King, commercial manager at Cornwall Services, added: "We are delighted to share the news that GRIDSERVE is increasing an already significant commitment here at Cornwall Services."
The new super hub comprises six high power 350kW-capable chargers to allow for a quick top up for people passing through, along with six Low Power AC chargers for overnight guests staying at the hotel.
High Power EV charging traditionally requires new grid connections, which can be expensive and in some cases, take time, to deliver.
GRIDSERVE said its usage data showed a close correlation between the profile of solar energy generation and energy consumption across chargers over the course of a day, making solar an excellent additional energy source.
Cornwall is also, of course, a popular summertime getaway so will experience higher visits during the time solar energy production is also naturally higher.
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