The Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy awarded a joint project by Volta and Imagen Energy a grant to commercialize a US-manufactured direct current fast-charging equipment for electric vehicles, as per Executive Biz.
“While this is a modest initial government grant that does not replace the need for the capital we are currently raising, it is proof of Volta’s ability to align our business with the federal government’s priorities,” said Volta’s Interim Chief Executive Officer Vince Cubbage.
“Volta’s collaboration with Imagen on this winning ARPA-E application demonstrates our commitment to supporting solutions that are compliant with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ensuring implementation can be done in a capital-efficient manner.”
Volta said it would use its PredictEV infrastructure planning tool and software to help Imagen Energy choose sites for effective piloting and initial deployment of its compact electric vehicle fast charger.
The company will also collect feedback from its network of charging stations, connecting EV drivers to clean energy, to inform the project’s testing phase.
“Imagen relies on commercialization partners like Volta to accelerate the deployment of our high power density, silicon carbide-based power conversion platforms,” said Imagen’s chief technology officer Ezana Mekonnen.
“The combination of Volta’s advanced PredictEV planning tool and the company’s existing charging network creates the ideal environment for quickly developing reliable, affordable, and efficient charging solutions that will support the rapid transition to electric mobility,”
According to the press release, the two look to develop and commercialize chargers that are more affordable, more flexible, and more powerful through this project by focusing on:
Scalable Chargers
The project will use Imagen’s flexible, high-efficiency silicon carbide-based (SiC) power conversion platform to produce compact charging cabinets, enabling affordable, easier-to-install, and highly reliable high-power fast chargers that could charge multiple EVs at once and being deployed in a market rapidly.
The flexible platform is anticipated to facilitate optional, convenient integration with energy storage and renewable energy and supports vehicle-to-grid integration.
BIL-compliance
Equipment is being engineered to deliver at least 150kW and be manufactured in the US to comply with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s requirements.
In addition, the technology will fulfill network connectivity requirements, which include Plug and Charge capabilities and communication through the Open Charge Point Interface protocol (OCPI) and Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP), building upon Volta’s existing software implementation to let flexible integration with roaming charging partners.
Visibility & Access
Volta will leverage its patented, award-winning PredictEV infrastructure planning software to determine optimal sites for effective piloting and initial deployment based on local electric vehicle ownership, demographics, mobility trends, and income levels.
With existing relationships with leading retail and commercial properties and more than 3,000 stalls installed, many within disadvantaged communities, Volta’s electric vehicle charging network will enable quick feedback loops during the testing phase.
