EEC gears up for deployment of electric vehicles
MBABANE - The shift from internal combustible engine vehicles (ICEs) to electric vehicles (EV) is a disruptive trend not only for the automotive industry globally, but also for the electricity grid.
The electricity grid will by extension directly impacted by this evolution. Therefore, in response to the changes in the energy landscape, the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) is taking a step to ready its institutional capacity in the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs).
The utility is seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) from a competent and capable service provider to design, install, commission, operate and maintain three electric vehicle DC fast chargers (DCFC) public stations as a pilot project in Eswatini.
According to the tender document the project involves the installation of EV charging stations at three pilot sites in Eswatini. The successful service provider will be responsible for the system design of hardware, software and services as well as the integration, testing, warranty and maintenance, documentation and all associated equipment and customer services. Services would be provided on a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year (full-time) basis with sufficient resources and personnel to successfully support and maintain the programme.
Integration
The broad Scope of Work for the service provider that can deliver a complete solution to support public charging including seamless integration of hardware, software and services along with the ability to easily scale in terms of both quantity/quality of deployment and locations.
The service provider will assist EEC in identifying and prioritising the installation location of 3 DC Fast Charging (DCFC) stations within Eswatini. The service provider will also provide a detailed tender on the appropriate DC Fast Charging specifications ideally suited to each location. Each service provider will demonstrate its vision for selecting parking spot locations for the EV charging stations these sites ideally should have the highest potential to be utilised. The service provider shall also be responsible for the construction of civil works for setting up charging stations at the identified charging station’s location. It shall also be responsible for ensuring compliance with local building codes, safety regulations and other requirement.
The general unit specifications: i. 2x Stations with two DCFC ports must be capable of providing 60kW charging for a single vehicle and at least 30 kW simultaneous charging for two vehicles.
ii. 1x Station with two ports must be capable of providing 30kW simultaneous charging for two vehicles.
iii. Input Power: 400VAC 50Hz 3-phase.
iv. Output Voltage range: 200V – 1 000V DC.
v. Connector: CCS2 and Type 2.