Pilot plant in Erfurt: power supply from overhead line for e-bus charging systems

The power supply from the overhead line or catenary offers transport companies more flexibility and lower installation costs for charging systems for e-buses. The k.Charger is located in the Magdeburger Allee depot and is supplied with power from the existing rail vehicle catenary. The charging station has two CCS outputs for charging two e-buses, each with 100 kW. For fast charging, the entire available power of 200 kW can be transmitted via just one CCS output.

First calibration-compliant billing of subsidized electricity for charging systems

The KIEPE engineers rely on proven technologies such as those used for trolley buses. A prototype installation at the transport company in St. Gallen has been proving its operational capability for over a year. For the first time in Germany, with the active support of EVAG and the responsible tax authority in Germany, it has been achieved that the subsidized railway power can continue to be obtained by measuring the railway and charging current separately and at the same time a proper tax billing for e-buses is possible. This is a crucial point for the use of overhead line power for charging purposes. With this pilot system in Erfurt, the two partners are showing that a legally compliant solution can be implemented in Germany.

EVAG had assembled its k.Charger itself and connected it to the overhead line before the KIEPE specialists put the system into operation and switched on the overhead line voltage of 750V. The first connection with a MAN bus ran smoothly straight away.

The system is connected to KIEPE "over-the-air" so that additional functions can be implemented over time. With this new type of charging station, EVAG and KIEPE are showing that charging e-buses from overhead lines works reliably and can efficiently advance the electrification of public transport.

The modular KIEPE charging offer especially for transport companies

As a long-standing partner of public transport, KIEPE is ideally placed to support its customers in the implementation of integrated charging systems. KIEPE has chosen a new modular plug-and-play approach with 19-inch cubes that can be installed in control cabinets as required and easily replaced. The KIEPE system makes it easier to maintain and requires less space in the often cramped conditions of existing depots.

The power supply via rail vehicle or trolleybus overhead lines is an important USP that brings advantages to transport companies. Power supply from the public grid is also available. The charging software used by KIEPE is tried and tested and comes from renowned companies. Bi-directional charging is also available with overhead line power with the k.Charger.

KIEPE has created its own business unit for its charging infrastructure offering in order to be able to act quickly and flexibly. The head of the business unit is Sandro Maciocia, who is also the managing director of KIEPE Switzerland. The focus markets are Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.