Kahramaa launches vehicle charging, energy storage station

In its continuing mission to reduce carbon emission and encourage a culture of environment-friendly practices in the transportation sector, the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), represented by the National Programme for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), on Sunday launched Tarsheed Photovoltaic Station for Energy Storage and Charging Electric Vehicles.

Touted to be the first of its kind in Qatar, the station will function as a charging point for vehicles with electricity produced from solar energy via 216 photovoltaic panels that are divided into two areas with a total area of 270 sq m. The entire area is equal to the row for 24 cars’ spaces. The total power produced from these panels is 72 KW peak.The station contains a unit that has two connections of Combo and CHAdeMO types that are compatible with different types of vehicles. The unit allows to allow two cars to be charged at a time with a rapid charging level of 15 – 20 minutes. The maximum charging capacity is 100 kw. The station also contains a power storage unit in a battery with a capacity of 170 kw/h. The charging cord of 100 kw is enough to charge three cars. The surplus energy will be exported to the grid after charging the battery. In case the power from the solar panels is not sufficient at the time of vehicle-charging, electricity will be provided from the grid via a key transformer.The event that was held at its Mesaimeer Complex was attended by Kahramaa chief Essa bin Hilal al-Kuwari, Japan ambassador Kazuo Sunaga, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Marubeni Power Company Yoshiyaki Yokota and officials from Kahramaa and Marubeni. Kahramaa's Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department manager Abdulaziz Ahmad al-Hammadi explained the project.Al-Kuwari said the new initiative is aimed at reducing the harmful carbon emissions by encouraging the usage of solar energy as well as disseminating the use of electric cars in Qatar via providing a unique infrastructure for electric charging stations to achieve sustainability in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. “The initiative will help Qatar transform into a developed country that’s able to achieve sustainable development by enhancing the diversified economy that depend on reducing the hydrocarbon; its investment is in the private sector which must be directed towards the smart knowledge and technology,” he said.Yoshiyaki Yokota said Marubeni is committed to social and economic development and safeguarding the global environment. “As one of the leading IPP developers, we have announced a new corporate strategy confirming to double the ratio of power generated by renewable energy sources in our net power supply by 2023 to be a partner always providing optimal power and energy solutions to meet and satisfy stakeholders’ and society’s expectations and needs,” he said.Ittarget="_blank"'>