New charging ways coming

This story first appeared in the December issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

Innovative charging technology is expected to be available in New Zealand soon. YHI, a leading distributor of automotive and power products, has a range of intriguing items nearly ready.

XStorage, a new solar/PV inverter by Easton, comprising second-life first generation Nissan Leaf batteries, has been brought here for New Zealand testing and compliance.

The xStorage Home is an energy storage system developed for the home that selects the optimum energy mix according to what is needed to power up, the demand on the grid and the availability of renewable energy.

It can be installed in a home as a hub for incoming and outgoing power, connecting renewable and grid power to the home and can, in some cases, even support integration with EV batteries when parked overnight.

Stored energy can be used throughout the day, but it is particularly valuable either when the sun is no longer shining or when grid electricity prices are highest. An app allows customers to follow the generation and consumption of energy and check battery status from a smart phone or device.

Already in use in Europe, the xStorage could be available for sale in New Zealand in the first quarter of 2019, YHI (New Zealand) Ltd energy products divisional manager Aaron Gillon says. YHI is also offering the Delta 150kW charger which has four different charging options available in the one appliance.

Standing 2.3 metres tall, the unit’s DC fast-charging options have two cords – one the CCS2 connecter which can use up to 100kW, the other a Chademo connector which can do up to 63kW. The total output of the two cables at one time is 150kW. There are also two AC connectors that have a total output of 65kW.

A tethered Type 2 cable has 43kW output and a Type 2 socket has 22kW output. This means four EVs can be charged at one time with a total output of 216kW, Gillon says. A large amount of power will be needed at the site where the Delta 150kW charger is installed, which means it would probably need its own transformer.

As considerable heat could be generated, plenty of cooling fans are included within the unit. The cost is expected to be about NZ$150,000. While only one is available now, YHI expects to get in more once the level of interest is determined. Customers are likely to include power generators, lines companies, fleet owners or managers, service stations and ChargeNet NZ. Also on the horizon is a home energy management platform that can manage use of an EV to power the home, and for energy storage with the addition of a solar array.

It’s expected to be available in three different levels – 6kW for the home, and 10kW and 22kW for businesses. Gillon expects these could be available for sale by about August 2019.