Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1003889
NETWORK / 32 / JULY/AUGUST 2018 T he battery network will be the world's biggest, able to release or absorb two thirds the power of the planned Hinkley C nu- clear power plant in response to grid balancing requirements. Network brought together the Pivot Power founders (Matthew Allen, CEO; Michael Clark, CTO; Matthew Boulton, COO) to explore what their plan will mean for the industry. What will Pivot Power's plan allow the industry to achieve? MA: "The UK has seen a dramatic (and welcome) shi‡ away from coal-fired power, and towards wind and solar. The next step of decarbonisation will require significant quantities of grid-scale battery storage to smooth out imbalances between electricity supply and demand." MC: "Exactly, and EV rapid-charging presents similar challenges and opportunities. A single charger can draw as much power as a me - dium sided supermarket. Providing facilities which can support lots of EVs rapid-charging at the same time, therefore, requires as much power as a small town. So our battery network will tackle both challenges, introducing valu - able flexibility into the energy system to ac- commodate the demands of mass EV charging and higher levels of intermittent renewable generation." What does this mean for EV drivers? MA: "Pivot Power is addressing the range anxiety felt by owners (and potential own- ers) of EVs by tackling the primary barrier to EV purchase: the availability of chargers. Our charging hubs across the country will offer mass charging at competitive rates, supporting up to 100 rapid 150KW chargers at each location. They will also be able to support rapid 350KW chargers when they become available in the UK." MC: "To put that in perspective, a 7 kW charger would charge a 100 kWh battery in c. 17 hours, and a 150 kW charger would charge the same vehicle in 45 minutes. As we move to even more rapid charging, we An appetite for EVs Launched in May, Pivot Power's plan to develop a world-first 2GW network of grid-scale batteries and rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs across the UK has created waves throughout the industry. could be looking at 350 kW chargers filling a car battery in under 20 minutes." MA: "As well as acting as charging hubs our batteries will provide valuable flexibility services to the grid, meeting the increas - ing demand for energy storage. In sum- mary, you could say that the question of EV uptake and the availability of chargers is the ultimate chicken and egg scenario. However, our plan resolves that issue by providing multifunctional, commercially viable infrastructure." EV INFRASTRUCTURE Founders of Pivot Power pictured left to right: Matthew Boulton, Michael Clark and Matthew Allen. 45% 39% 28% 13% 11% 10% 9% 6% 5% 4% 3% Availability of chargers Distance travelled on charge Cost Lack of knowledge Technology not proven Performance, practicality, looks Limited choice Don't know Safety Resale / residual value None REASONS FOR NOT PURCHASING AN EV SOURCE: UK DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT (2016) N=649 LICENCE HOLDERS