Simon Group along with partners Toshiba Corp., Duke Energy, Itochu Corp., and Tom Wood Automotive Group has unveiled an advanced vehicle charging station, with solar panels and a battery – the first such installation to emerge from a regional project.
The installation, which is located at Clay Terrace in Carmel, Ind., contains both traditional and quick-charge stations that are connected to a 10 kW roof-mounted solar panel. The solar energy can be stored in the Toshiba 75 kW lithium ion battery, which helps to supply power in the evenings and on cloudy days.
The charging system is currently available to customers at no cost.
Toshiba developed its part of the plug-in system by combining existing micro-energy management system capabilities with its latest rechargeable battery technology. Toshiba designed its portion to efficiently manage the energy load within the EV charging system, which is connected the power grid operated by Duke Energy.
The plug-in charging station is a Project Plug-In initiative, part of Indiana clean-tech program Energy Systems Network. ENS is an initiative based in Indianapolis that develops and helps coordinate collaborative projects and joint ventures between members who are working to commercialize new energy technologies. It has launched three commercialization projects to date, including the Hoosier Heavy Hybrid Partnership to reduce emissions and fuel consumption of heavy trucks, MicroGreen to supply military bases with reliable homegrown energy, and Project Plug-In to create an all-electric commute powered by a smart utility grid.
Project Plug-In partners include Duke Energy, Indianapolis Power & Light, Midwest ISO, Think Global, Navistar, Smart USA, Nissan, Bright Automotive, Ener1 Inc., Simon Property Group, Purdue University, Itochu Corporation, Enterprise National, Greater Indiana Clean Cities, Indiana Convention and Visitors Association, the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the Indiana Office of Energy Development.