Innovative Street Charging Demo Project
Vinnova Diarienummer 2022-03169
Information about the Demo Project in english is so far limited. Please let us know if you have interest in the demo project by contacting us! Text below is machine translated.
Purpose and goal
Expansion of charging points in a street environment is hampered by existing underground infrastructure and associated rights of way in the ground. This can mean high and unforeseen excavation costs, expensive grid connections and encroachment on public space. The project aims at a demonstrator in a real street environment and the goal is to evaluate costs, implementation time, impact on the street environment, acceptance by the actors involved and emissions of greenhouse gases during the establishment.
Expected effects and results
The expected results are that the concept can reduce costs, reduce implementation time, reduce the impact on the street environment, be accepted by the actors involved and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases during the construction phase.
Planned structure and implementation
We want to establish the concept in a real street environment to show how it enables a fast, cost-effective and large-scale expansion of charging points with minimal emissions of greenhouse gases. Selection of location and final design takes place in collaboration with primarily the owner of street land, but also together with construction contractors, network owners and suppliers of charging equipment. About four charging points are implemented on site. Charging poles are installed and electrified, after which the concept is evaluated.
Background and assumptions
If we believe in electric vehicles as part of a sustainable world, it is important to make them available to everyone. Also for those who live in apartment buildings. Being able to charge your electric vehicle at home is in reality a prerequisite for owning an electric vehicle.
Costs and greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced if earthworks are avoided. The costs of establishing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles make the investment less interesting for market players. Emissions during the construction phase of land infrastructure such as roads and railways have been shown to be substantial and in the order of 20-25% of life cycle emissions. A large part of these emissions comes from earthworks.
Our solution eliminates ground work. The modules are hollow and have room for electrical cables. They replace existing concrete slabs.
Design of modules
Design criterion #1 is that excavation should be avoided. This means that the modules must have the same thickness as the existing coating. A common covering is concrete slabs with a thickness of 5 cm. Based on this, we judge that the modules must be manufactured in iron or steel. We have started from two common manufacturing methods; bending of sheet steel and iron casting. The modules consist of a lower part and a cover. The design differs slightly between material choices.
The modules can be laid both across, along and diagonally with the curb. The animation shows a sidewalk from above and places for "slant parking".
The electricity is supplied from an electrical cabinet (red rectangle) which is located at the facade. Two charging posts (red squares) are placed at the curb and each supply two vehicles.
The modules can be placed in different ways and also obstacles such as e.g. tree (green) can be passed.
Foundations for charging posts must be stable and withstand some impact. Stability is achieved through a number of modules that are assembled together. A cover plate protects the electrical cables against damage in the joint between the modules. The modules that are mounted solely for stabilization can be fitted with weights inside. The number of modules depends on the location of the charging post.
The choice of material is important for a minimal impact on the street space and at the same time offer a functional walking surface for those who move on the pavement - i.e. primarily attractive and non-slip.
The modules can be manufactured in different materials depending on the desired appearance, function and manufacturing method.
When bending sheet metal, different qualities can be used such as e.g. COR-TEN® or stainless steel. The modules can also be galvanized after bending. COR-TEN® gets a rough rusty surface over time.
In casting, the material is cast iron, gray or ductile iron, i.e. same as traditional "street goods" such as well caps, etc. Casting enables the surface to have a functional and/or aesthetic pattern.
Prototypes made from 5mm COR-TEN cut and bent. The design enables local manufacturing with relatively simple tools.
Visualization of implementation
Visualization of charging point; approx. 20 modules in COR-TEN and two charging posts enable the charging of four electric cars when parking diagonally.
Swedish project description.... read more