EV Revolution won’t Start Without Improved Infrastructure
If half of all vehicles sold by 2030 are zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) - in line with federal targets and an Executive Order - it is estimated that the US would require 1.2m public EV chargers and 28m private EV chargers by that year. That's about 20 times more chargers than it has right now.
Alex Ivanenko, CEO & Founder at HyWatts, explores the shift towards EVs and zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), the threat of range anxiety and decarbonising the transportation sector.
The case for hybrid storage systems in expanding EV charging infrastructure
While urban areas have increasingly adapted to accommodate EV charging needs, vast swaths of the US still lack charging infrastructure, leading to ‘range anxiety’ for consumers and a nonstarter for electric long-haul trucking. Worse still, the existing grid infrastructure, already under enormous strain, is ill-equipped to handle ever more EVs and ZEVs even in well-connected locations.
“Addressing the inadequacy of grid capacity necessitates innovative solutions beyond traditional approaches such as building new transmission lines or extensive grid upgrades, which are both costly and time-consuming,” says Ivanenko. “The development and implementation of hybrid storage systems, specifically through localised generation of electricity using renewable energy sources, present a viable solution.”
Hydrogen-based Long Duration Energy Storage & sustainable EV charging infrastructure
One pioneering approach is hydrogen-based Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) based on a novel HTPEM 'Reversible' hydrogen fuel cell from HyWatts, which utilises hydrogen as an energy storage medium in combination with solar or other energy sources. “This technology not only promises to alleviate the pressure on the grid, but also ensures the availability of sustainable and cost-effective energy for EV charging stations across diverse locations including truck stops, warehouses, and new charging sites - without the need for new grid infrastructure,” he says.
Studies have demonstrated hybrid storage capacities of 63MWh and 220MWh, capable of sustaining five days of operation at competitively low kWh costs. Three U.S. charging stations are already exploring this new H2-LDES option, signifying the growing recognition of hydrogen storage solutions as a cornerstone in the transition to a decarbonised future.
“By circumventing traditional grid dependency, these systems accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive, sustainable charging infrastructure for ZEVs, thereby facilitating the broader adoption of electric transportation across all vehicle categories.”
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