The new Energy Superhub Oxford, which is claimed to be the most powerful EV hub in Europe with capacity to charge up to 400 cars, has officially opened.
The first in a planned UK-wide network of EV charging Superhubs, the new facility is sited at the Redbridge Park and Ride facility south of Oxford city centre. The site has been developed by Pivot Power, which is part of EDF Renewables, and is backed by Oxford City Council.
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The site currently has facilities for fast and ultra-rapid charging for 42 vehicles. There are currently 10 Fastned chargers capable of 350kW ultra rapid charging, 12 250kW Tesla Supercharger points and 20 Wenea chargers that can operate at speeds of 7-22kW.
But the main innovation of the Superhub, which is the result of £41 million of investment, is in its design. Unlike other charging hubs, it is connected directly to the National Grid’s high voltage transmission network via a dedicated four-mile underground cable, which can deliver up to 10MW of power – which would be enough to charge 400 EVs simultaneously. That means the Superhub has the capacity for extra chargers to be added in the coming years as demand for electric cars increases.
The grid connection also uses a new Pivot Power-developed hybrid battery system, which can be used to help boost local clean power. The system combines a 2MW Invinity Energy Systems vanadium flow battery with a Wärtsilä 50MW unit, and has been designed to balance the intermittent flow from renewable energy. The batteries are charged at times of high renweable energy supply, and can then discharge that energy when supply is lower.
The will be officially opened today (Tuesday July 5) by Trudy Harrison MP, the Transport Decarbonisation Minister, who said: “Both the Government and industry, working together, are investing billions in projects like this to help provide the infrastructure to support the UK’s electric revolution and soaring EV sales.
“This in turn will help us decarbonise transport, create high-skilled jobs, and provide cleaner air across the UK.”
Pivot Power is aiming to open 40 Energy Superhubs across the UK, with the new two currently under construction in Coventry and Sandwell near Birmingham.
Pivot Power boss Matt Allen said: “Energy Superhub Oxford provides a vision of the future, today. By delivering a world-leading project that cuts emissions across transport, power and heat, we are breaking new ground to help the UK reach net zero sooner.”
The project is also part of Oxford’s bid to become net zero by 2040. The city is the first in the UK to introduce a zone where only zero-emission vehicles can be used. Councillor Imogen Thomas, Oxford City Council’s cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford, said: “Redbridge was the location of the country’s first full running Park & Ride in 1973, and now almost 50 years later, we are home to Europe’s most powerful electric vehicle charging hub.
“In order to achieve a Zero Carbon Oxford by 2040 we need to encourage uptake in electric vehicles, and drivers want to know that they can charge their vehicles quickly and efficiently. The completion of Energy Superhub Oxford is an exciting step for our city and the future of EV charging.”
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