Gridserve Technologies software optimises available grid and solar energy to maximise charging speeds with dynamic load sharing. 

The new 12 charger Electric Super Hub at Cornwall services.

Gridserve has delivered a new solution that combines batteries and solar energy to supplement the existing grid connection to deliver ten times the charging power at Cornwall Services.

Gridserve and Cornwall Services have opened a 12 charger Electric Super Hub on the A30, complete with solar canopy. Six High Power chargers provide a quick top up for people passing through, along with six Low Power AC chargers for overnight guests at the onsite hotel.

Using a combination of the existing grid connection, a lithium-ion battery, solar energy and the software developed by Gridserve Technologies, the two legacy chargers that were previously installed at the site have been replaced with 12 new chargers. While the site is now operational, chargers will be limited from providing full power whilst a testing and optimisation phase is worked through, which is expected to take several months.

The battery is monitored by Gridserve Technologies hardware and will use intelligent programming to manage its load and output. The software considers available grid connection power, the state of charge the battery, the time of day, the solar output and the power requested by all the vehicles charging to maximise charging speeds and throughput while minimising time spent at the chargers.

Gridserve has submitted planning permission to build a solar farm adjacent to Cornwall Services to deliver energy directly into electric vehicles every year.

Toddington Harper, Gridserve CEO, said; “We hope the technology we have deployed at this location can also become a blueprint for others, where larger grid connections will be too slow to deliver to keep up with the demand that the rapid transition to electric vehicles presents. We have also submitted plans to further increase energy capacity at the site in future with an adjacent solar farm.

“Whilst we are still in the initial stages of the project, the Electric Super Hub has already proven itself through the Easter and early May Bank holidays charging over 100 cars a day during busy periods. We are also excited for what is still to come at Cornwall Services as we continue to refine and optimise the system over time to deliver the best possible charging experience, powered by sustainable zero carbon energy.”