PROGRESSUS Revolutionizes EV Charging: 10-15x More Stations per Network Connection

PROGRESSUS: Advancing Electric Car Charging Stations

A three-year EU project called PROGRESSUS has made significant strides in energy conversion, intelligent electricity management, and secure network monitoring. The project, backed by Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Spain, aimed to develop innovative solutions for electric car charging stations. With a budget of €20 million, the project involved 22 organizations led by Infineon.

The main focus of PROGRESSUS was to develop electric power converters that minimize energy loss while integrating battery storage systems and renewable energy sources like photovoltaic. These converters incorporate sensors and SiC MOSFETs, which can be switched at high speeds, making them ideal for use in charging systems for electric vehicles (EVs). The result is a significant reduction in peak power consumption at charging sites, up to 90%, without compromising charging times. Alternatively, the converters can support ten to fifteen times more charging stations on a single network connection.

Joint energy management of multiple buildings is another area where PROGRESSUS has made progress. By simulating an energy management system based on real data from 16 buildings with photovoltaic systems and energy storage, the project partners demonstrated the potential to reduce electricity peak demands in the public network by an average of up to 80%. This reduction can be achieved without affecting customers' requirements.

The implications of PROGRESSUS are far-reaching. With the development of efficient electric power converters, the number of electric car charging stations that can be operated on a single network connection increases significantly. This advancement is crucial in supporting the growing demand for electric vehicles and ensuring convenient access to charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, the joint energy management system developed by PROGRESSUS offers a sustainable solution for reducing peak electricity demands. By optimizing the energy consumption of multiple buildings, the strain on power networks can be alleviated, leading to a more stable and reliable energy supply.

The success of PROGRESSUS highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing technology and addressing energy challenges. With the support of multiple countries and organizations, the project has achieved remarkable results that have the potential to revolutionize the electric car charging industry and contribute to a more sustainable energy future.