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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_UKPN0072
Title	Voyage
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Energy Efficiency(Transport) 25%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 75%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given UK Power Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 February 2021
End Date	30 June 2022
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£248,930
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , UK Power Networks (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , UK Power Networks (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_UKPN0072
Objectives	Engagement with relevant stakeholders have already taken place to gather the key requirements from a customers perspective which has been taken into account in the design. The key elements are:• 1 – 2 MVA capacity meets short/mid-term requirements• 7 – 8 MVA capacity meets long-term requirements• Space is a premium• Scalability is welcomed as customers only want to pay for capacity they require in line with the different uptake stages of EV and utilisation of charge points.This has led to two solutions being proposed:• LV supply solution: A compact substation to supply up to 1.5 MVA at LV• HV supply solution: A compact substation to supply 7.6 MVA at 11kVThe two solutions can also be utilised in a hybrid configuration which provides the option to offer bulk network capacity (7-8 MVA) to the service area site using the HV supply solution as well as allowing a staged approach to rolling out the LV supply solution in line with the uptake of EVs and utilisation of chargepoints. In addition, engagement with a charge point operator have taken place to confirm the trial site which has been provisionally agreed.The project will be carried out in three phases:Phase 1 - Build the solution with a supplier - A prototype unit will be built according to the finalised design. The project team will work with stakeholders to understand the complexities of mass scale roll-out of the solution to electrify service areas in the strategic road network and develop a strategy.Phase 2 - Install and commission prototype unit at trial site - Preparation of the trial site will take place minimising civil works. The prototype unit will be transported to the trial site, installed and commissioned ready for the formal trials.Phase 3 - Evaluate performance - The operational performance of the prototype unit will be evaluated following completion of the installation based on:• Functional acceptance• Customer acceptance / satisfaction The scope of the project is as follows:Phase 1 – Build prototype unitDuring the first phase, procurement of the newly designed unit will be carried out with the chosen supplier(s). All standard equipment will be ordered and a high-level roll-out strategy and plan will also be produced.Phase 2 –Installation & commissioning at chosen trial siteIn this phase, the project team will work with a customer (charge point operator) to confirm the siting of the prototype unit at the trial location and carry out site preparation work. The installation of the prototype unit and commissioning will be completed as part of this phase. The prototype unit will supply new EV charging infrastructure of the charge point operator.Phase 3 – Operational acceptance and knowledge sharingIn this phase, the operational performance data of the prototype unit will be evaluated and assessed. The operational acceptance of the unit will be determined following the results of the performance assessment as well as customer acceptance/satisfaction. A report summarising the results of the project will be produced and shared publicly. The project team will share all learnings with the wider industry via project reports and through targeted dissemination events. The key objectives of the project are as follows:Design a solution which could be installed by any authorised party across any small/medium sized MSA or service area in major A-roads to provide 1.5 – 8 MVA of capacity.Produce a standardised solution kit that can be rolled out rapidlyReduceconnection costs as the proposed solution is scalable and allows for additional units to be added when business case supports.Build, install and operate the solution at a trial siteDemonstrate the successful operation of the solution in a live environmentAnalyse results of the trials to extract key learnings and disseminate across the industry
Abstract	The wide scale roll-out of high powered EV charging infrastructure is seen as a key enabler for accelerating the electrification of the transportation sector as existing and future owners of EVs will have confidence that they will be able to gain access to high powered chargepoints ubiquitously in a similar manner to conventional vehicles having access to fuel stations.Motorway Service Areas (MSAs) and service areas in major A-roads have been identified as a specific area in which the roll-out of high powered EV charging infrastructure will be required. Most of these sites are currently connected to the 11kV network and network reinforcements are likely required to increase capacity to supply additional power to the high powered charge points. The conventional solution to providing the increased capacity is typically high in cost, time consuming and requires a large footprint. A standardised compact scalable supply solution that can be rapidly rolled out to MSA sites and service areas on major A-roads across GB will support the establishment of a nation-wide high powered charging network on the strategic road network ultimately accelerating the uptake of EVs.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22