Periodic Reporting for period 2 - MobileBattery (Mobile Energy System for recharging, energy buffering and long-distance travelling)
Reporting period: 2016-04-01 to 2017-03-31
"Objective of this business innovation project is providing market readiness for our Mobile Energy Systems (MES). BVB INNOVATE has developed totally new mobile energy sources: Mobile Batteries can deliver clean electric energy to a broad variety of grid, off-grid and mobile applications. Technically, these Mobile Energy Systems are powerful 85 kWh Li-ion batteries ‘on wheels’. MES batteries can be charged with clean energy from PV and wind as well as from the grid.
A variety of use-cases can be addressed as:
1. Mobile recharging: Mobile recharging as a service was found very interesting by many car manufacturers due to still weak electric vehicle recharging infrastructure. Mobile batteries are mobile fast and ultra-fast chargers and can recharge any electric vehicle everywhere - without the need of stationary charge points. In addition, emergency charging can be performed, if an electric car driver was stranded with an empty traction battery.
2. Home and mobile energy: While “parked” in the home owner’s garage, the MobileBattery will serve the function of intelligent back-up power for the home. For the weekend, a mobile battery can be attached to the owner’s battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) for a long weekend trip.
3. Autobahn rental: Owners of e-cars will have the option of renting rather than buying range-extending power packages for long highway trips.
The ""mobile recharging"" use case offers immediate market opportunities, while the other use-case were found to be implemented later. The project targets series readiness and market entry into the promising growth market charging infrastructure. MobileBattery aims to become a market leader in mobile energy - as Vodafone did in mobile communication.
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A variety of use-cases can be addressed as:
1. Mobile recharging: Mobile recharging as a service was found very interesting by many car manufacturers due to still weak electric vehicle recharging infrastructure. Mobile batteries are mobile fast and ultra-fast chargers and can recharge any electric vehicle everywhere - without the need of stationary charge points. In addition, emergency charging can be performed, if an electric car driver was stranded with an empty traction battery.
2. Home and mobile energy: While “parked” in the home owner’s garage, the MobileBattery will serve the function of intelligent back-up power for the home. For the weekend, a mobile battery can be attached to the owner’s battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV) for a long weekend trip.
3. Autobahn rental: Owners of e-cars will have the option of renting rather than buying range-extending power packages for long highway trips.
The ""mobile recharging"" use case offers immediate market opportunities, while the other use-case were found to be implemented later. The project targets series readiness and market entry into the promising growth market charging infrastructure. MobileBattery aims to become a market leader in mobile energy - as Vodafone did in mobile communication.
"
MobileBattery started with redefining the concept in order to achieve necessary features as fast and ultra-fast mobile recharging, convincing safety features, and the ability for streamlined mass production. The project started with the update on component level followed by systems integration. Now, we are in the phase of functional testing prior to user tests and scaling-up.
Components: A modular battery with a completely new design was developed. The battery modules use light-wight Li-ion-cell-bearing bodies with imminent safety features in order to reduce foot-print and overall weight without loosing outstanding safety features. The battery will be charged by a bi-directional on-board charger. DC fast charging is performed by a DC/DC inverter. Two main standards (CCS and CHAdeMO) are enabled covering most of the electric vehicle in the EU. We used innovative CATIA 3D Experience software to design all components, enable development accompanying validation, product life cycle management, and sharing with preferred suppliers and contract manufacturers.
System:
The prototype system integrated the modular batteries with the power electronic component on a trailer based platform. Components of chassis were produced for testing by innovative 3D printing and laser sintering. Mass production of chassis components will preferably be done by REM technology which is estimated to be the most economical production method. The prototype is under functional testing now.
Commercialization:
A shared e-fleet operator, a subsidiary of a renown German car manufacturer will test the prototypes in real environment. Test locations will be Berlin, Munich, or Copenhagen. Negotiations with other German car manufacturers are in progress. An investment readiness assessment was performed by a representative of the European Union. The final report highlighted excellent ratings, for example concerning the product readiness level. The investment readiness report leaded the way to improve market readiness of the overall system and fine-tuning the business model. Negotiations with VC and Corporate VC companies are under way. A memorandum of understanding was signed with a renowned Swiss infrastructure financing company with the aim to finance our investments as a charging infrastructure provider in the triple digit million Euro range.
Components: A modular battery with a completely new design was developed. The battery modules use light-wight Li-ion-cell-bearing bodies with imminent safety features in order to reduce foot-print and overall weight without loosing outstanding safety features. The battery will be charged by a bi-directional on-board charger. DC fast charging is performed by a DC/DC inverter. Two main standards (CCS and CHAdeMO) are enabled covering most of the electric vehicle in the EU. We used innovative CATIA 3D Experience software to design all components, enable development accompanying validation, product life cycle management, and sharing with preferred suppliers and contract manufacturers.
System:
The prototype system integrated the modular batteries with the power electronic component on a trailer based platform. Components of chassis were produced for testing by innovative 3D printing and laser sintering. Mass production of chassis components will preferably be done by REM technology which is estimated to be the most economical production method. The prototype is under functional testing now.
Commercialization:
A shared e-fleet operator, a subsidiary of a renown German car manufacturer will test the prototypes in real environment. Test locations will be Berlin, Munich, or Copenhagen. Negotiations with other German car manufacturers are in progress. An investment readiness assessment was performed by a representative of the European Union. The final report highlighted excellent ratings, for example concerning the product readiness level. The investment readiness report leaded the way to improve market readiness of the overall system and fine-tuning the business model. Negotiations with VC and Corporate VC companies are under way. A memorandum of understanding was signed with a renowned Swiss infrastructure financing company with the aim to finance our investments as a charging infrastructure provider in the triple digit million Euro range.
"The relevance of ""Charging Everywhere"" was clearly understood by major stakeholders. MobileBatteries will be able to recharge electric cars everywhere without the need of fixed charging infrastructure. Recharging of distributed e-car fleets and convenience charging of electric vehicles were identified as an important first use cases. Charging as a service will play a predominant role in our business model in the near future. MobileBatteries will be used for conveninece charging, fleet charging, and emergency charging. These ""Charging Everywhere"" services will be instrumental for the adoption of shared mobility concepts as well as for the adoption of electric mobility as a whole."