Duke Energy has officially confirmed the news of commissioning its new Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid in Mount Holly, which happens to be a first-of-its-kind electrification center for commercial and public electric fleet vehicles.
According to certain reports, the stated center will effectively run on a dual purpose model, meaning it will provide utility-grade, reliable fleet electrification that can help businesses meet sustainability goals, as well as play the role of an active charging site for light-, medium- and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles.
More on the stated center would reveal how it can help a commercial fleet design, deploy and manage a reliable and customized electric fleet depot solution, using any configuration or capacity option showcased at the Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid, thus facilitating their transition towards fleet electrification. As per the given setup, vehicles can either be connected to the Duke Energy grid, charging from the bulk electric system, or they may also avail their required power through 100% carbon-free resources. The latter option would rely upon a microgrid located at the Duke Energy Emerging Technology Office on-site in Mount Holly.
“As companies with sustainability goals seek new ways to decarbonize their operations, vehicle fleets have increasingly become a top focus,” said Harry Sideris, president of Duke Energy. “The Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid is open and ready to help with opportunities for cost savings, new charging options for zero-emission vehicles and strategic guidance.”
Talk about Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid on a slightly deeper level, it includes a net total of six total fleet charging stations ranging from 120 to 300 kilowatts (kW) along with two Level 2 chargers. Moving on, we referred to how vehicles can be powered by 100% renewable energy generation when integrated with the Mount Holly microgrid, but what we haven’t mentioned yet is the sources for that, at launch, include solar, battery storage, hydrogen and other types of generation.
Another detail worth a mention here is how this flexibility in regards to power sources makes it possible for stakeholders to test and validate software, vehicle and microgrid interoperability to reinforce confident commercial fleet electrification, even in the most challenging or complex locations.
Beyond that, the study will also tread up a long distance to let Duke Energy study charger use, performance, energy management and integration, all for the purpose of identifying charging technologies and how they may be used to power any type of fleet with vehicles ranging from Class 1 (pickups) to Class 8 (over-the-road haulers). You see, this the company will do because simulating various models of charging scenarios may enable energy load shaping, which can be used to ensure proper grid or microgrid distribution.
“While fleet electrification in Europe and Asia has taken hold, this critical mobility microgrid effort in partnership with Duke Energy will help address and solve those electrical and performance issues unique to North America that challenge commercial adoption today,” said Kevin Kushman, CEO of Electrada. “This collaboration proves that electric mobility at scale is compatible with reliable and renewable grid service and will build trust in fleets who are ready to embrace the transition.”
Going by the available details, Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), the leading manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in North America, is set to join Duke Energy and Electrada as a founding participant in the fleet EV charging program at the Duke Energy Emerging Technology and Innovation Center. With one of DTNA’s largest East Coast manufacturing facilities located directly adjacent to the center; the proximity should be able to create an ideal opportunity to utilize the chargers at the site and demonstrate charging technologies in front of customers visiting the plant in future.
“Our collaboration with Duke Energy and Electrada goes beyond infrastructure development – it’s about creating a sustainable, scalable fleet electrification solution,” said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA. “By providing seamless, carbon-free charging, the Fleet Mobility Microgrid enables our inbound logistics partners to operate with minimal environmental impact.”
