Efficient charging thanks to battery storage: Mer Austria pilot project picks up speed
Vienna/Spital am Semmering, June 5th 2024. Mer Austria, a specialist in the planning and operation of integrated charging solutions, is testing battery storage in Spital am Semmering for the first time. In collaboration with the electricity storage manufacturer and long-standing partner Fenecon, the pilot project aims to provide e-drivers with consistently high charging capacities even when the site is heavily utilised.
Charge your electric car quickly and continue driving with a full battery - many electric car drivers are already taking advantage of this opportunity at the charging station in Spital am Semmering. However, many parallel charging processes during peak times quickly lead to a reduced charging capacity. The use of battery storage systems is an interesting addition to the public offer and is currently being tested by Mer in the field to ensure that customers are offered consistent charging performance even at high utilisation rates.
Since mid-May 2024, EV drivers in Spital am Semmering have been benefiting from the new battery storage facility at one of Mer's most frequently used charging locations in Austria . This serves as a power buffer and supports the two 150 kW hyperchargers located on site.
Pilot operation for future projects
The newly installed buffer storage tank is continuously recharged throughout the day. If the energy from the grid is not sufficient, this is simply balanced out by the electricity from the battery. This covers power peaks during high electricity demand and ensures a constant charging capacity.
The pilot project was realised in collaboration with the long-standing partner and electricity storage manufacturer Fenecon. The company from Deggendorf is known for its expertise in electricity storage technology and has already successfully cooperated with Mer in various research projects. With the pilot operation, Mer is collecting valuable data and insights in order to successfully integrate battery storage systems at future locations and offer customers the best possible charging performance.
"Alongside photovoltaics, battery storage systems are a future-proof addition to the effective charging infrastructure of our public charging services," explains Anton Achatz, Managing Director of Mer Austria GmbH. "They can absorb peak loads and serve as an interim solution if the required grid connections are delayed. The insights we gain from the pilot operation are essential for dealing with grid restrictions and meeting our requirements for high charging capacity for our customers."
Additional charging park planned
In addition to the current charging offer at the McDonald's Spital am Semmering site, Mer is also planning to expand the charging offer on site. A new charging park is to be built directly opposite the current location, which will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy as usual. In terms of size, the charging offer will be based on the already successfully operated charging park in Spittal an der Drau. From September 2024, a total of nine fast-charging stations with 18 charging points and an output of up to 400 kW will be available at this site.
Further information on Mer's charging solutions and location partnerships can be found at Mer Austria website.
For further information, contact:
Monique Berntsen, head of brand and communications +47 92 66 56 63
Mer is a European EV charging company owned by Statkraft and has over 400 employees. By combining deep knowledge of the EV charging business with genuine ambition, Mer brings the expertise and scale to truly power the European shift towards electric mobility. The company has become a leading full-service EV charging provider with a foothold in the most attractive markets in Europe. Mer offers innovative and hassle-free charging solutions to customers, at work, on the go or where they shop. Mer’s mission is to make sustainable electric mobility easy and accessible for everyone
