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As electric vehicles (EVs) increase in popularity due to growing awareness of global warming impacts, the demand for efficient and sustainable EV charging solutions continues to rise. According to estimates, by 2025, it is anticipated that 10% of all passenger vehicle sales will be EVs, and that by 2040, more than 290 million charging stations will be required globally to support the growing EV fleet.
Yet even with heightened demand for EVs, wide-spread consumer adoption continues to be hampered due to the lack of available charging infrastructure. Moreover, when grid-powered charging infrastructure is based on fossil fuels, the environmental benefit of the transition to EVs is largely negated. To date there are very few readily available sustainable charging solutions, but with the advancement of renewable and clean energy technologies, the availability of such solutions is expected to expand. These renewable energy sources, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) power, offer a promising pathway towards greener transportation and reliable charging infrastructure all around, especially when supported by energy storage together with on-site power generation that ensures continuous power when the duration of battery storage is insufficient.
Solar PV power harnesses the sun’s energy by using solar panels, which convert sunlight into electricity. This clean and renewable energy source has gained immense popularity in recent years, thanks to its abundant availability and relatively simple installation process. Solar PV power provides a sustainable supplement to conventional grid electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. However, solar PV energy is subject to fluctuations caused by changes in irradiance, preventing it from providing a consistent power supply. Hence, the incorporation of an energy storage device becomes imperative to meet the energy demand and enhance the sustainability and reliability of any device that requires continuous power, including EV charging stations. The functionality of solar PV – powered EV charging stations may use a battery for energy storage. However, as studies show, batteries can usually only provide a piecemeal solution to regularly and immediately available solar-generated power for EV charging, which is when hydrogen fuel cells become relevant to provide a continuous and reliable source of electricity.
In most solar PV-charged EV stations, energy storage is typically accomplished using batteries. These batteries play a crucial role in storing excess solar energy generated during the day for use during periods of low sunlight or at night. However, relying solely on batteries for energy storage presents certain limitations. Over time, batteries experience deterioration, leading to a reduced energy storage capacity and overall performance. Additionally, battery systems require cooling and regular maintenance to ensure optimal functionality. As referenced in research in the Journal of Energy Storage, these factors and more can create situations where the power available at an EV charging station is limited, potentially causing EV drivers to experience range anxiety and uncertainty about the availability of charging infrastructure when needed.
This is where the complementarity of fuel cells for on-site power generation becomes invaluable. Fuel cells, including hydrogen-based fuel cells, offer a continuous and reliable source of electricity, limited only by the availability of fuel. As a result, when a battery is rapidly depleted as a result of supplying a surge of power for EV fast DC charging, its power can be gradually recharged by a continuous steady flow of power from the fuel cell; together they carry out a seamless cycle of power replenishment. This dynamic pairing of fuel cells and batteries optimizes the overall efficiency and availability of solar PV-powered EV charging infrastructure, alleviating concerns about limited power availability and potential range anxiety among drivers.By integrating fuel cells as a complement to solar PV power in EV charging stations, it is possible to overcome the limitations of battery storage systems alone. For instance, such limitations that could be addressed with a fuel cell solution include recharging the stationary storage, keeping a station’s charging potential at full capacity in all solar irradiation conditions. This challenge to maintaining the full capacity of the charging infrastructure using storage and batteries alone is currently faced at the EV ARC™ 2020, or “Beam Global” charging station installed in Northern France that has a daily range of nearly 400 km (PV and storage combined). Fuel cells are innovative solutions that not only provide a continuous and reliable power supply for charging needs, but also enhance the charging experience for EV drivers, offering fast and efficient charging. With the combined strengths of solar PV power, fuel cells, and batteries, it is possible to create a robust and dependable charging infrastructure.
GenCell EVOX™ is a cutting-edge fuel cell solution designed specifically for energy storage and backup power applications. It acts as a vital complement to solar PV power, ensuring continuous and reliable electricity supply for EV charging, especially during periods of low sunlight such as at night. With EVOX, grid-independent solar PV EV charging based on zero-emission hydrogen and ammonia power becomes a reality, offering customers a clean, reliable, weatherproof, and 24/7 fast charging experience, anywhere and anytime. The infographic demonstrates the fast-charging capacity for numerous electric vehicles made possible by using EVOX paired with existing limited grid capacity, solar PV power, or other renewable sources.
One of the key advantages of the EVOX solution is its ability to accept multiple energy inputs, including grid, solar, fuel cell, and other renewable power sources. This diverse energy input capability minimizes the risk of a single point energy failure, enhancing the overall reliability of the charging station. For instance, by incorporating solar energy as an input, the system optimizes energy usage, prioritizing the lowest-cost energy source to reduce operational expenditures. Solar power is utilized first and for as long as possible, delivering abundant, low-cost energy. When solar power is not available, the chargers are powered by battery storage. As the batteries deplete, they are replenished with power generated continuously on-site by the fuel cells. In this architecture, the duration of the operation of the fuel cell is minimized, thereby extending stack lifetime while reducing fuel expenditures.
In addition, EVOX offers several unique features that make it an ideal solution for sustainable and off-grid EV charging applications. Its high energy density of 372 kWh enables efficient energy storage, ensuring an adequate three-phase power supply for charging multiple vehicles simultaneously. The long lifespan of EVOX reduces maintenance and replacement costs, making it a cost-effective choice for long-term commercial operations. Additionally, its fast response time ensures quick and seamless power delivery, minimizing charging downtime for EV owners.
In the pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable transportation ecosystem, fuel cells can play a crucial role in complementing solar PV power and battery infrastructure for EV charging. By integrating innovative fuel cell solutions with solar PV EV charging stations, the dependency on batteries and the grid is reduced, making it possible to charge electric vehicles in remote locations and addressing limited grid capacity in certain areas and built-in battery deficiencies. The combination of solar PV power and EVOX offers a reliable, 24/7 fast charging experience, regardless of sunlight availability, grid capacity, or battery limitations.
As entities using solar energy for EV charging explore solutions that require more power or aim to address battery and grid limitations, the integration of fuel cell solutions become increasingly relevant. By leveraging the combined benefits of solar PV power and fuel cell technology, we can accelerate the transition towards a greener, more sustainable transportation future. With powerful hydrogen fuel cell solutions like EVOX, a fully sustainable future of EV charging with renewables is one step closer.