Utility EnergyAustralia has teamed up with Planet Ark Power to offer smart charging solutions to the transport industry that can include on-site solar, battery storage, and smart chargers.
The propose package will be managed through an eleXsys software platform that was integrated into the high-profile IKEA microgrid in Adelaide.
“With Planet Ark Power, EnergyAustralia will optimise the solar to ensure our customers obtain improved returns whether the solar is going to charger, battery or being exported to the grid,” said Jack Kotlyar, head of NextGen at EnergyAustralia.
“Chargers that are being used for the fleet, can also be opened to the public, providing a new income stream for our customers.
Planet Ark Power’s new partnership with EnergyAustralia follows a similar announcement made earlier this year, which saw Planet Ark Power partner with South Australia’s Commercial Retail Group to launch its first electric vehicle charging hub at the Pasadena Shopping Centre.
The $3 million EV charging hub is expected to be operational in early 2023 and is the first and largest of its kind in the state.
“As we support our customers moving from diesel and petrol to electric vehicles through depot charging solutions, we know that often customers have multiple sites in need of charging infrastructure, each requiring its own set of solar, battery and charging set up,” Kotlar said.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.