AlpaKa

AlpaKa is a pilot project to test a new type of workplace charging station that operates largely without AC conversion. At the Ohrberg parking lot in Emmerthal, a charging infrastructure is being built that includes 15 public charging points, PV carports, and a battery storage system. By directly connecting the PV system, storage system, and vehicles via direct current, losses are reduced, grid-friendly strategies are tested, and scalable solutions are developed for company and visitor parking lots.

What questions will be addressed as part of AlpaKa?

Where will electric vehicles be charged in the future?

• The primary charging location for most electric vehicles is still the private sphere (single-family homes and apartment buildings)
• Public charging stations at supermarkets and gas stations are unsuitable for long-term parking.
• Highway and fast-charging stations are primarily intended for long-distance travel, not everyday use.
• Company parking lots are still underutilized, but they are an ideal location for scheduled, PV-optimized long-term charging during work hours.

How do you charge using DC/DC and PV-optimized charging?

• The vast majority of Germany’s charging infrastructure is based on AC/AC or AC/DC charging stations.
• 100 kWh supplied directly (DC) from a PV system is sometimes equivalent to only 89 kWh from the power grid (AC).
• Slow DC/DC charging makes the best use of PV, better matches the usage profile, and reduces the load on the power grid.

“Slow but Steady” — A new research approach

• Usage profiles are a valuable source of data and provide insights into potential flexibility
• A model for larger parking lot installations in the region
• The sustainable charging infrastructure of the future will not consist solely of fast-charging stations
• Intelligent control can do more than just optimize PV utilization
• The planned parking duration can be used directly to prioritize charging power
• Reduced charging power <7.4 kW further reduces the load on the power grid
• A company vehicle parked for > 8 hours offers exceptional potential for intelligent control!