NGED takes charge: Enabling rapid EV charging at motorway service areas

The Take Charge project was initiated to meet the growing demand for rapid EV charging at MSAs. The primary considerations included the following:

• Environmental impact: The project aimed to minimise the environmental footprint during installation and operation. This involved selecting sustainable materials and processes.

• Stakeholder management: Effective coordination with a range of suppliers, vendors, and NGED’s internal teams, including Innovation, Policy, Network Services, and Legal, was crucial.

• Infrastructure reliance: The substation needed to handle up to 20 MVA of capacity for peak charging times.

• Operational continuity: Ensuring that Moto’s business operations remained unaffected during the installation and trial phases.

Our approach showcased our capability to address complex challenges through innovative and collaborative strategies:

• System capacity optimisation: The first step involved assessing the predicted demand for EV charging at all Moto MSA sites within NGED’s licence areas. This assessment utilised data from OLEV’s Project Rapid, forecast data from charging-point installers, and existing EV charging data. This analysis determined an optimal capacity of 12 MVA and identified Exeter MSA as the ideal site for the trial.

• Design and development: Collaborating with Brush, a leader in switchgear and transformers, we developed a compact, standardised substation package. This design included complete off-site assembly and testing to minimise on-site construction activities, reducing both costs and installation time. The substation was designed to integrate with the existing 33 kV and 11 kV networks and to be compatible with future infrastructure developments.

• Installation and integration: In partnership with Moto, we coordinated the installation and integration of the new substation at Exeter MSA. This included connecting the substation to the 33 kV network and ensuring it could support both existing and new charging infrastructure. The substation was also integrated with NGED’s Network Management System (NMS) for enhanced control and monitoring.

• Trial and evaluation: The final phase involved a six-month trial to evaluate the substation’s performance. This phase included regular monitoring and data analysis to assess the new solution’s benefits and effectiveness. The findings were shared through various dissemination events and reports to inform future projects.

The Take Charge project met all its objectives and delivered significant benefits:

• Optimal capacity and site selection: The project successfully determined the optimal capacity and selected Exeter MSA as the trial site. Detailed reports on these processes are available on the project website.

• Standardised design: The project resulted in the development of a compact connection solution (CCS) that passed all tests and significantly reduced the footprint and costs compared to traditional methods. This standardised design offers a replicable model for future installations.

• Effective installation: The substation was installed and energised without any disruption to Moto’s operations. This seamless installation process highlights our capability to manage complex infrastructure projects.

• Performance evaluation: The substation remained connected and operational throughout the trial, demonstrating its effectiveness. Continuous performance monitoring provided valuable data shared with the industry to guide future projects. The findings highlighted the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of deploying high-capacity, rapid EV charging solutions at MSAs.

The Take Charge project underscores our commitment to sustainable and efficient project delivery and delivering innovative, impactful solutions that benefit the community and support the transition to a low-carbon future.