The Basque Country seeks to triple its rapid charging network for electric cars.

Lehendakari Urkullu announces that the Basque government has set itself the goal of tripling the current rapid charging network, reaching 100 points, in the next four years

Last Monday, Lehendakari Iñigo Urkullu announced the Basque Government’s firm commitment to tripling the rapid charging network for electric vehicles, reaching 100 points of this type in the next 4 years. Urkullu unveiled this challenge at the inauguration of a new fast charging point, powered by Iberdrola in the town of Antoñana, Álava, in the company of the Regional Minister for Economic Development, Sustainability and the Environment, Arantxa Tapia, the Deputy General of Álava, Ramiro González, and the Institutional Delegate of Iberdrola in the Basque Country, Asís Canales.

With the aim of making the Basque Country “greener, more digital and more inclusive”, the Lehendakari stressed the need to invest in “a Basque network connected to the Iberian corridor and the European network”, for which the horizon of this legislature will mark a milestone.

Regarding the inaugurated charging point, the facility, which can be accessed via the app, is designed for all types of electric vehicles and allows both fast charging, with 50kW of direct current power, and semi-fast charging, with 44kW of alternating current. Thus, this new point is designed so that two vehicles can access its service simultaneously.

The inauguration of this new Iberdrola electric charging point in the Basque Country coincided with another inauguration by the company in Benisanó, where the new double rapid chargers, with 50 kilowatts of power, will be available 24 hours a day and will allow up to 4 electric vehicles to charge simultaneously.

How does a vehicle charging station work? electric?

First of all, it is important to bear in mind that what we know as fast charging stations operate with a power equal to or greater than 50 kW, that is, in direct current. This is why, in order for our car to charge, we will require more elements than we would find in a domestic or low-power charger.

Thus, the electricity reaches the electric charging station through the electrical network supplied by the supplier. This is where we will differentiate three main elements for charging our vehicle:

• Transformation center, including the connection to the medium voltage network.
• Power converter cabinet.
• Charging post.

Let’s go with the first one. The transformation center will be responsible for connecting the electric charging station to the medium-voltage network, complying with the regulations required by the Electricity Distributor to whose network it will be connected, and for transforming the electricity from the medium-voltage network to low-voltage. Why is this point important? Because it guarantees the operation of the rest of the elements that will ensure the charging of the electric vehicle and because it is, in turn, a fundamental point from a safety point of view.

In addition, the most advanced transformation centers offer operating companies remote data that allow them to know the consumption, usage trends, the status of the network and its elements, allowing them to operate and maintain their network of charging stations more efficiently. All this guarantees that there is energy available to the different users.

Once the voltage is low, it’s time for the second element of the equation to come into operation: it’s the turn of the power converter cabinet. This set of equipment fulfills the function of adapting electricity, which arrives in alternating current, to direct current, which is what the batteries of electric vehicles accept.

Now, that the voltage is low and the current is direct current, it’s the turn of the most well-known element: the charging post. These posts, with an appearance and functions similar to the pumps we find at any gas station, only in this case the energy is electrical, are responsible for transmitting energy to our car.

In addition, these allow us to know the energy that the “electrolinera” is capable of supplying us, the energy that our battery is capable of absorbing, the temperature conditions of the battery and an approximation of the charging time, in addition to payment management. In short, in addition to providing us with energy through the cable, they act as our interpreter so that the charger and the vehicle understand each other and we can choose the best charging option.

The most powerful fast charging point in southern Europe, in Bizkaia

Although Spain is still a country that has yet to make this type of technology more common, in the province of Bizkaia they have, since last October 2019, the most powerful charging station for electric vehicles in all of southern Europe.

This This station, promoted by Repsol, is capable of delivering up to 400 kilowatts individually to the rapid charging network through its four charging terminals. This means that electric vehicles with a battery capable of supporting this maximum power will be fully recharged in five to ten minutes.

This station, the second that Repsol has opened at its service stations this year, uses 100% Basque technology, highlighting the role played by Ormazabal, a company specializing in smart grids, in delivering a complete transformation center for the energy supply.