In Australia’s vast and unforgiving outback, reliable transportation is essential for survival, not just convenience. A leading initiative is addressing this need by deploying off-grid EV charging stations, crucial for safe and sustainable travel across this challenging terrain.
The challenge
The transition to electric vehicles in Australia includes an ambitious plan to set up 200 EV charging stations nationwide. This initiative faces significant challenges, particularly in the outback. Remote areas often lack grid connectivity, and the isolation transforms the absence of reliable charging options into a critical risk, with drivers potentially stranded in extreme conditions.
The goal demanded a robust, easy-to-deploy off-grid solution that guarantees high redundancy and reliability, ensuring safety in Australia’s toughest landscapes.
The solution
To meet these needs, Pixii developed a comprehensive charging station solution, pre-installed on a 40-foot skid. The setup includes three Pixii PowerShaper cabinets, 25 kW of deployable solar panels, an integrated diesel generator, and two 75 kW EV chargers. Facing a gap in the market, Pixii engineered an innovative Energy Management System (EMS) to enable autonomous and dependable operation in remote areas.
The Benefits
Pixii’s EV charging station arrives fully assembled, easing transportation and installation across the remote Australian outback. Its compact design negates the need for oversized transport permits or police escorts, reducing costs and simplifying logistics.
The heart of the system features three Pixii PowerShaper battery energy storage systems (BESS), leveraging solar power to facilitate off-grid fast charging while minimizing environmental impact. This green approach, backed by advanced energy management technology, lessens reliance on diesel generators. The system’s built-in redundancy ensures continuous operation, featuring dual 75 kW EV chargers for peak demands, a backup diesel generator for additional power security, and ample battery storage to sustain energy supply. This modular system is designed to function seamlessly, maintaining operations even when components fail.
“Pixii’s PowerShaper system, combined with our game-changing EMS, is setting new standards for energy independence in remote installations.”
Morten Schøyen, CPO, Pixii AS
Pixii’s EMS, customized for this off-grid context, allows the charging station to function autonomously, independent of external network connections. In areas with unreliable communication infrastructures, the EMS’s local power management capabilities are crucial, ensuring consistent reliability, optimized energy management, and safety for travelers.
The results
The deployment of off-grid EV charging stations in the Australian outback has been a resounding success. In just one month, the station recorded 31 charging sessions, demonstrating strong demand and functionality in remote locations. This achievement, alongside the station’s demonstrated autonomy and resilience, has proven the project’s viability and spurred interest for further expansion, both domestically and internationally. This breakthrough paves the way for a broader, greener transportation network, enhancing global sustainable mobility.
| Objective | Enhance the safety and sustainability of travel in remote Australian regions by deploying a reliable, off-grid EV charging infrastructure. |
| Project: | Off-grid EV charging stations initiative |
| Industry | Transportation and Infrastructure |
| Country | Australia |
Background
A leading initiative is focused on advancing Australia’s transition to electric vehicles, particularly in challenging environments like the outback. Given the vast distances and extreme conditions, ensuring reliable EV charging stations is not just a convenience but a necessity for safety. This project is part of a broader effort to make sustainable transportation viable across even the most remote parts of Australia.
| Solution: | Pixii PowerShaper battery energy storage system (BESS) with integrated energy management system |
| Outdoor system capacity: | Up to 100 kW, with dual 75 kW EV chargers and peak 80 kW charging session combined |
| Battery: | High-capacity lithium-ion batteries for prolonged energy storage and backup |
| Solar Capacity: | 25 kW deployable solar panels integrated into the skid |
| Backup System: | Integrated diesel generator set for continuous operation during periods of low solar yield |
| Usage: | Autonomous EV charging, capable of operating independently of the grid |
| Value Proposition | Offers high scalability and sophisticated power management in remote settings, ensuring reliable and sustainable energy for EV charging stations without the need for grid connection |
Contact us
Pixii Oslo
E-mail: Show Email
Visiting address: Sommerrogata 13-15, 0255 Oslo
Project manager Pixii
Darren Nankivell
Global Product Manager – Off-grid Solutions
Tel. +61 (0) 424 946 374
E-mail: Show Email
Download the case study
Off the grid: Revolutionizing EV charging in the Australian outback