Project Background
As electric vehicles become more common, residential properties are increasingly investing in modern charging infrastructure. In Turku, a shared parking cave serving four housing companies identified the need for a solution that would accommodate both current and future EV owners. Residents sought a home charging system that would be easy to use, cost-effective, and technically sustainable in the long run. The project aimed to create a charging system that could flexibly adapt to growing demand.
The uneven wall surfaces of the parking facility posed challenges for traditional wall-mounted chargers. Additionally, the project required setting up charging readiness for 104 parking spaces, even though only a portion would initially be actively used for charging. This meant the infrastructure had to be scalable, allowing for future capacity expansion as resident demand increased.
An Intelligent and Scalable Charging System for Future Needs
The final solution delivered a modern charging infrastructure that combines ease of use with scalability. To optimize cost efficiency, the power distribution for the charging system was implemented using busbars. EAE MK busbars (160 A) were installed on the ceiling of the parking cave, consisting of eight busbar sections. This setup enabled charging readiness for all 104 parking spaces. When additional charging stations are needed in the future, they can be easily integrated by adding a tap-off box and a charger.
From the start, over 60 INCH Pro charging stations were installed on dedicated poles due to the uneven wall surfaces. INCH Pro chargers were chosen for their high-quality features, including a touchscreen interface and a Type2 cable with a magnetic holder to keep the charging area neat. Additionally, individual RFID authentication allows residents to be uniquely identified, making consumption tracking easier.
Over 400 A Load Management Balances the Building’s Power Consumption and EV Charging Needs
A scalable local load management system with a capacity of over 400 A was implemented in the parking facility, ensuring that power consumption remains at an optimal level. A wireless connection to the charging stations simplifies system management and monitoring. Property managers have access to the Latinki Meter Reading Service, which allows them to track and report meter readings for each chargers for billing purposes. This makes charge management transparent and simplifies cost allocation among residents.
Summary
The implemented charging system effectively meets both current and future EV charging needs. Residents benefit from reliable home charging, while property managers can handle billing effortlessly. This project demonstrates how a well-designed and versatile solution can enhance the convenience of living in housing companies and meet the growing demands of electric vehicle owners.
Solution Details
- Solution for Housing Companies: Shared parking cave for four housing companies in Turku
- Charging Readiness: 104 parking spaces equipped with EAE MK busbars (160 A)
- Over 60 INCH Pro 11 kW chargers installed on poles
- Key Features: Individual RFID authentication, touchscreen interface, Type2 cable with magnetic holder, local load management
- Property Manager Tools: Latinki Meter Reading Service, enabling meter-based billing for each charger