Portugal’s REN to pioneer transmission connected EV charging
Image: REN
Portuguese TSO Redes Energéticas Nacionais (REN) is to deploy its Speed-E high voltage electric vehicle charging solution at five locations in the country.
REN is partnering with Italian EV charging infrastructure provider Atlante Energy through an MoU to develop five projects using the Speed-E grid connection solution.
The Speed-E solution, which was developed and patented by REN, enables the charging of EVs through a direct connection to the electricity transmission network.
In addition to the availability of significant power levels for the charging, offering simultaneous supply for multiple fast and/or ultra-fast chargers, it opens the way for the expansion of charging infrastructure to locations where the transmission network is available – an extension of about 9,000 km in Portugal.
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“This partnership reflects REN’s ability to develop solutions that address the energy transition, while positively contributing to the decarbonisation of society,” says the company’s COO, João Faria Conceição.
“Atlante is an obvious partner for Speed-E in Portugal, not only due to its broad experience in the charging sector but also its recognition, from the outset, of the potential of this tool to promote faster and safer charging of electric vehicles, thus mitigating future challenges related to an increased need for power availability.”
REN has not specified where the projects are to be implemented, or what others may follow, but the initiative is set to be a world first with EV fast charging directly from the HV network.
The Speed-E solution transforms the transmission high voltage to low voltage and can be implemented up to 300m from an existing overhead line.
It has been designed with a modular architecture to enable projects to be customised to customers’ needs and to be scaled over time with the increasing penetration of EVs.
Atlante is currently one of the largest EV charging point operators in Portugal in a network that also spans across Italy, France and Spain.
Giovanni Ravina, Atlante Innovation Officer and Atlante Iberia CEO, says that Portugal is at the forefront of zero emission driving.
“We can’t wait to see how Speed-E will transform the EV-charging landscape in the next months.”
