The roads of the Netherlands are going green at impressive speeds – and the charging industry to support electric vehicles is growing at the same rate.

‘We have delivered more than 1.5million Delta-enabled EV chargers to more than 44 countries since 2010,’ says Vincent Lin, senior director of e-Mobility & Smart Energy Solutions business development at Delta Electronics EMEA. ‘In the Netherlands, the market is healthy and growing very fast.’

The EU aims to be the first climate neutral continent by 2050, and the European Green Deal is increasing the numbers of electric vehicles on the road. In the Netherlands, there are now almost 310,000 battery electric vehicles and almost 180,000 plug-in hybrids, according to the latest government figures.

Charging network

These vehicles need to be supported with a charging network, both in roadside stations but also at shopping malls, people’s homes and at businesses. This is where Delta, a global leader in power, thermal management and smart, energy-saving solutions, has an invention that could help.

At its head office in Hoofddorp, the firm practices what it preaches and has installed EV charging infrastructure for staff. On the roof is an array of solar panels that even in Dutch year-round weather could typically power five cars for 12 months.

Outside is an energy storage system, with a power conditioning system that controls energy for peak periods – storing excess energy in reliable, battery cabinets and then feeding demand in the times when it is highest, in the most efficient way possible.

The EV chargers, meanwhile, are highly efficient and feed all kinds of vehicle needs, including AC MAX, SLIM 100, V2X and UFC 200 Ultra Fast DC Chargers. Managed and monitored from an impressive video wall, is its new EV charging management system, DeltaGrid® EVM, an innovative platform featuring artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and seamless integration with energy infrastructure (solar energy and energy storage).

Trend

‘Demand for EV charging is going up,’ says Lin. ‘We are following the trend for the EU, including the green deal. In this industry, you need to know the technical road maps and have a good in-house solution. The algorithm and software development is still ongoing.’

For businesses that want to accommodate their employees and visitors, Delta believes that this kind of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a huge asset. The system ensures the infrastructure runs efficiently and is easy to manage.

It provides the necessary power without have a significant impact on the  existing grid, and offers a more economical and flexible option than a total upgrade. The solution ensures energy optimisation and supports the highest peaks in energy and EV charging demand, offering seamless integration to a current power grid.

Future

Businesses should invest in this kind of development now, believes Delta – but it is also coming to our homes, with government subsidies for electric vehicle manufacturers to develop all kinds of solutions that are integrated with housing developments.

‘If you are driving an EV, you are already contributing to the environment,’ says Lin. ‘In future, your car could even be a battery for your family, storing the energy you need. This is all coming in a few years. There is growing potential.’