Local load management solution for electric mobility

E.ON to supply infrastructure and modular E-Mobility solution for electrification of car fleet of Fiege

Today there are more than 1.2 billion vehicles worldwide and this figure is expected to rise to two billion by 2035. This brings major challenges with it, not only for Germany, but for all industrialized countries and emerging economies, especially when it comes to transportation-related emissions of CO₂.

Electric mobility can contribute significantly to the reduction of transports’ environmental effects. It is an important step on the path in achieving sustainability goals and lowering impact on the natural environment in cities and towns. While E-Mobility seems to be a logic choice for the future of transportation, it is essential to ensure the required implementation of the charging infrastructure.

For that very reason, Fiege Logistics teamed up with E.ON. Seeking to equip Fiege´s headquarters at Münster/Osnabrück Airport with charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, the two companies have launched a joint project. The goal of the project is to develop, test and implement modular E-Mobility solutions - a combination of charging infrastructure and local load management as a starting point and PV and battery energy storage later on. This modular approach strongly contributes to the development of the charging infrastructure, whilst avoiding cost-intensive grid extension.  

The most innovative component of the project is testing advantages of bi-directional charging stations. This technology makes it possible to utilize electricity from the electric vehicles’ batteries to balance out consumption peaks and reduce cost by capping existing load peaks at the site.

The bi-directional charging technology will help to overcome the challenge of the limited grid connection at the Fiege site. “The individual solutions build on and supplement each other and, depending on the required investment volume, they can be implemented gradually. Intelligent charging stations will be complemented by bi-directional charging points, which will become the new standard. In addition to local load management, bi-directional charging will be another key functionality”, explains Michael Schneider, Senior Manager of Networked Mobility at E.ON Innovation.

Some vehicles in the car fleet of Fiege are already electric; however, the company expects an increasing number of employees and visitors to use electric cars in the future. “The uptake of our electric pool vehicles among our colleagues is good, they like using these cars. This innovation project enables smooth transition to E-Mobility considering our specific demands”, says Kai Alfermann, Director Real Estate & Quality at Fiege Logistics.

The innovative project will provide valuable practical insights for implementation of charging infrastructure enabled by modular solutions. “We need to consider individual targets and requirements at the customers sites, especially when it comes to grid infrastructure, cost effectiveness and avoidance of peak loads,” says Mathias Wiecher, Global Head of E-Mobility at E.ON. “The successful project with Fiege has enabled us to offer modular solutions for other B2B customers too.”

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