On 27 June 2023, the first research results of the MEDUSA project for ultra-fast charging of heavy vehicles were presented in Vienna. The complete electrification of heavy vehicles and buses requires innovative approaches and an intelligent high-performance charging infrastructure. In the first phase of the project, the experts from AIT, together with partners AVL List, EnerCharge, Infineon Technologies Austria and Xelectrix Power, are developing a concept for a fast charging station and infrastructure for heavy vehicles, buses and trucks in the multi-megawatt range. A first prototype for the demonstrator was presented during the event.
"The power of 3 megawatts is required for fast charging a long-haul truck. Providing this high power is a big challenge for the distribution grid. Therefore, in the project we are working with selected partners who have the technological know-how to develop a multi-megawatt fast charging station with direct medium-voltage grid connection as well as grid-stabilising properties. In the future, these charging columns should enable both a fast charge of 3 megawatts or several charges of 150 kilowatts, which corresponds to the demand of about 20 cars," explains Markus Makoschitz, project manager and senior scientist at the AIT Center for Energy. Furthermore, CO2 emissions are to be reduced by connecting battery storage systems in combination with solar power technology.
About MEDUSA: The MEDUSA initiative (Multi-Megawatt Medium-Voltage fast Charging) is divided into two sub-projects. In the first project phase (05/2021 to 06/2023), the requirements definitions, the topological implementation as well as the design and comparison of several solutions and a small-scale concept demonstration will be prepared. The planned second project phase will focus on the construction of a large-scale demonstrator as well as analyses of the geographical conditions and traffic flows coupled with network simulation. The construction of the demonstrator is based on the results of phase 1.
The MEDUSA project is funded under Zero Emission Mobility, a research and demonstration programme of the Climate and Energy Fund in the field of sustainable mobility and energy supply. https://www.klimafonds.gv.at/call/zero-emission-mobility-2021/
MEDUSA project partners: The development of a fast-charging infrastructure for the medium-voltage grid as well as the increased integration of renewable energies requires the combination of several technologies. The MEDUSA project partners cover the entire range from the power grid to the charging infrastructure with AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, AVL List GmbH, EnerCharge GmbH, Infineon Technologies Austria AG and Xelectrix Power GmbH.
