Korea Electric Power Corporation Develops Charging System That Can Charge 18 Vehicles at the Same Time

A technology that can charge many electric vehicles with a single charger is now available and it is a same technology as ‘multi-tab (a device where many cords can be plugged in at once)’ that is used in households.

This technology can charge 18 electric vehicles at once at apartments, public complexes, and charging stations. A great turning point in expanding electric vehicles is now prepared.

Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) made an announcement on the 27th that it finished developing multi-socket-type charging system that can charge up to 18 electric vehicles with a panel board and a controller and is currently testing it.

This system was co-developed by Korea Electric Power Research Institute, PNE Systems, and Korea Electric Power KDN. After installing this system at 4 apartments in South Korea by end of this year and testing it, it is going to share knowhow of technologies and operations so that other private businesses can use this system also.

Socket-type charging system can be installed and operated anywhere such as apartments, buildings and others that can secure capacity of of at least 130kWh. System can still be used at places where capacity is lower than standard by lowering number of sockets depending on capacity.

This system is composed of a panel board that distributes electricity, which was introduced to apartments or buildings when they were built, to each customer or for lights, a controller, which is a size of 30-inch TV, and 18 sockets. Sockets with exclusive meters are sockets where cables for charging electric vehicles can be plugged and can be used on walls of parking structures depending on environment where sockets are installed.

Power from charging is same as a normal slow charger (7kWh) and it requires about 4 hours to completely charge an electric vehicle that has a battery capacity of 28kWh. This system can be set up during times such as middle of night when it is electricity fee is cheaper and output of electricity can be adjusted per socket when electricity is at its peak. Verification of users, which is to charge certain fee for using electricity, can be freely used through RFID or passwords.

Through testing of this system, KEPCO is planning to use electricity that is stored within 18 electric vehicles on corresponding places (buildings and apartments) and also verify V2G (Vehicle to Grid) business that can re-sell electricity to other places. If electricity that is stored within 18 electric vehicles is gathered at one place through V2G, its size will equal up to 500kWh.

This is the same amount as how much electricity 1.7 households are using per month considering that a household uses about 300kWh per month.

Not only is KEPCO planning to share related technologies and knowhow in operation with its affiliates but it is also going to share them with private businesses that specialize in chargers for electric vehicles.

“Korea Electric Power Research Institute and private businesses are testing this system at 4 apartments to verify socket-type charging system by end of this year.” said a representative for KEPCO. “Because it is cheaper than a normal charger and does not require separate space in parking structures, it will contribute greatly in expanding infrastructures for chargers.” This representative also added that management of electricity peak and DR (Demand Response) of electricity of places are also possible if V2G technology is used.

Staff Reporter Park, Taejun | [email protected]