Kempower to facilitate long-distance EV driving

FINNISH electrical engineering company Kempower is behind development of a number of EV fast charging hubs coming on stream across Europe and they are bringing their advanced technology to Australia for use on the world’s longest EV highway in Western Australia.

Kempower’s experience will help fast track the local project as in Australia they will doubtless replicate their successful partnership with Norwegian energy and technology company, Greenstation, but with a different partner here.

The pair collaborated recently on Norway’s first operational fast charging station in Straume, with more to follow in quick succession.

The facility features six Kempower S- and C-Series charging satellite systems, each delivering up to 150kW of rapid charging power. They are similar to the units earmarked for use in Australia.

Kempower and Greenstation jointly developed the customized Kempower ChargEye platform to offer EV drivers a “seamless” user experience which logically, will be implemented locally.

The custom charging hub has been designed to cater specifically for increasing adoption of EVs.

Kempower’s S- and C-Series six-unit satellite charging system provides up to 150kW of charging power, with dynamic power distribution depending on the car's charging curve, state of charge, battery temperature and maximum charging power.

The charging station has been designed with EV drivers firmly in mind taking the charging experience to a whole new level by utilising Kempower’s ChargEye technology.

When drivers arrive at the charging station, they can easily find their charger as their vehicle’s registration plate number is displayed on a large info screen next to the charger. They can then plug in their EV and start charging immediately without inputting any tags or accessing any apps for identification.

The Kempower charger and info’ screen is connected and synchronised through the ChargEye platform allowing customers to see charging information displayed on the info’ screen.

Other useful information can also be displayed on the screen such as the various cost options for charging. When charging is complete, the screen guides the customer through payment. Drivers using the system can pay via card payment which is different to other charging facilities in the country that typically require payment through an app or radio-frequency identification tag.

The Norwegian system uses a dynamic pricing model, with drivers paying extra to charge more quickly or less if they aren’t in an immediate rush.

The facility offers an app that drivers can download to pay for charging, plus find out how many charging stations are available. If all the chargers are in use, the app provides an estimated waiting time, reducing the likelihood of queues forming at the hub.

News emerged this week that Kempower has been contracted to supply fast DC chargers for the 5300km WA EV highway project through Melbourne-based company JET Charge an EV charging infrastructure specialist.

JET Charge has ordered 42 dual-outlet Kempower C-Stations, which combine a charging power unit and charging satellite into a single unit, delivering either 75kW or 150kW of power depending on the site.

Once the highway is completed, EV drivers will have access to 98 EV chargers spread across 49 locations at no more than 200km apart.

It is one of the world's longest single EV infrastructure projects.

The project, recently given the green light by the WA Government sees JET Charge facilitating the project. The EV highway is part of the McGowan Government's AU$21 million Electric Vehicle Fund and delivers on the State Electric Vehicle Action Plan for Western Australia.

The WA State Government is delivering the highway through its energy utilities, Synergy and Horizon Power.

Stretching from Kununurra in the north to Albany in the south and Eucla in the east, the project will see a range of EV chargers installed at locations across Western Australia, including metropolitan and regional sites, as well as into the outback.

JET Charge selected the Kempower C-Station for the EV highway project due to its robust design, dynamic power management, high voltage and practical driver interface experience. The modular design architecture of the Kempower C-Station also easily allows for future expansion.

“We partnered with JET Charge at the beginning of this year to accelerate the Australian EV transition by supplying fast, reliable and economical charging solutions, so we’re thrilled to see our technology chosen for such a massive project in the country,” said Kempower CEO Tomi Ristimäki.

“The new Western Australian EV highway, which is one of the world’s longest single EV infrastructure projects of its kind, will ensure EV drivers can explore the state with the confidence that they can find charging infrastructure when needed, even when travelling on some of the most isolated highways in the world.”