- Collaboration with Electrada provides resources for fleets
considering electrification, specifically for interoperability,
power flexibility and reliability
MOUNT
HOLLY, N.C., Nov. 21,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy has commissioned its
new Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid in
Mount Holly, a first-of-its-kind
electrification center for commercial and public electric fleet
vehicles. The project is the first of its kind in the country to
offer a zero-emission, carbon-free microgrid option for fleet
charging.
The center serves a dual purpose as a model for utility-grade,
reliable fleet electrification that can help businesses meet
sustainability goals and as an active charging site for light-,
medium- and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles. Duke Energy and
Electrada are prepared to support any commercial fleet's journey to
fleet electrification by helping them 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. Vehicles can either be
connected to the Duke Energy grid, charging from the bulk electric
system, or powered by 100% carbon-free resources through the
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."
Innovation on wheels
Electrada, an electric fuel solutions company, provides all
required capital "behind the meter" on behalf of fleet owners. The
company delivers reliable charging to fleet electric vehicles
through a performance contract, eliminating the complexity and risk
that fleets face in transitioning to this new source of fuel. The
Electrada model provides secure and seamless conversion for fleets
that helps ensure grid integrity, guarantees performance and
reliability, and removes electric fleet charging price volatility.
Electrada's investment on the depot side complements Duke Energy's
focus on distribution system performance to support the predictable
addition of electric load over time.
"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."
The Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid includes
six total fleet charging stations ranging from 120 to 300 kilowatts
(kW) along with two Level 2 chargers. It is the first depot
designed for medium- and heavy-duty trucking in the U.S. that can
be charged from the grid or switched to 100% renewable energy
generation when integrated with the Mount
Holly microgrid, which includes solar, battery storage,
hydrogen and other types of generation. The unique configuration
also provides the opportunity 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.
The site's functionality as an innovation hub allows Duke Energy
to study charger use, performance, energy management and
integration. Identifying EV 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) is modeling for the
industry a clear, integrated and cost-effective path to fleet
electrification. Testing various models of charging scenarios
enables energy load shaping, which can be used to ensure proper
grid or microgrid distribution.
Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), the leading manufacturer
of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in North
America, will join Duke Energy and Electrada as a founding
participant in the fleet EV charging program at the Duke Energy
Emerging Technology and Innovation Center. One of DTNA's largest
East Coast manufacturing facilities is located directly adjacent to
the center; this proximity creates an ideal opportunity to utilize
the chargers at the site and demonstrate charging technologies to
customers visiting the plant in the 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.
This is a critical step in decarbonizing our supply chain and
ensuring that our electric vehicles continue to drive the future of
sustainable transportation."
Fleet Electrification in the Fast Lane
Fleet electrification has the potential to have the largest
environmental impact per mile driven on a greenhouse gas (GHG)
reduction basis per transportation use case, especially in medium-
and heavy-duty trucking. EV adoption in the U.S. continues to grow,
with the latest quarter representing a record high percentage of EV
new car sales at approximately 9% nationally.
"We expect energy consumption to grow at an average annual rate
of nearly 2% over the next 26 years, with approximately 35% of that
growth coming from greater EV adoption. That means by 2050, energy
use could be about 50% greater than what it is today," said
Sideris. "A collaborative approach to renewable energy has the
potential to significantly shape a more sustainable, cleaner energy
system."
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Charlotte, N.C., is one of
America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric
utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky, and collectively own
54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities
serve 1.7 million customers in North
Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition,
keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the
forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions
from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions
from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in
major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including
expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.
More information is available at duke-energy.com and the
Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy
on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and
visit illumination for stories about the people and
innovations powering our energy transition.
Contact: Logan Stewart
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
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SOURCE Duke Energy