Chongqing - An electric vehicle charging station integrating photovoltaic power generation, electric energy storage, vehicle charging, battery detection, and automatic power change services that can charge new energy vehicles (NEVs) with photovoltaic power debuted lately in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Tongliang Yuquan charging station in Tongliang District, invested in and constructed by State Grid Chongqing Electric Power Company, is located near the G93 Yusui Expressway of North Tongliang District.

“Due to the high traffic density around the station, the newly built charging station can realize the on-site consumption of clean energy storage and alleviate the impact of high-power charging on the power grid,” said Tang Xuesong, general manager of the State Grid Tongliang Power Supply Company. 

Tang added it has also created a diversified charging and battery replacement infrastructure, which can simultaneously meet the electricity needs of more electric vehicle owners.

The panorama of Tongliang Yuquan charging station integrates photovoltaic power generation, electric energy storage, vehicle charging, battery detection, and automatic power change services. (Photo / State Grid Chongqing Electric Power Company)

This integrated, comprehensive station can realize that the consuming photovoltaic preferentially, depositing surplus energy, storing energy at night, and releasing energy during the day.

Tang said that the photovoltaic area of the station could generate 3,000 kilowatt-hours per day under sufficient sunshine, which can meet the charging needs of 60 small NEVs.

If there is surplus power, it can be stored. The energy storage area is equipped with two sets of energy storage devices, which are charged daily in the off-peak and shoulder time and discharged in the sharp and peak time.

In terms of charging, the station is also equipped with a Vehicle to Grid (V2G) charging station, and electric vehicles can provide low-cost, flexible energy storage resources for the grid in reverse.

An electric vehicle battery detection station has also been built in the station, which can test the battery condition of electric vehicles for car owners.

The truck is changing the battery in the Tongliang Yuquan charging station. (Photo / State Grid Chongqing Electric Power Company)

With the significant increase in demand for new energy vehicles in China, the market demand for charging stations also increases sharply with the growth of NEVs.

In 2022, BYD and Royal Dutch signed a global strategic cooperation agreement and planned to jointly promote energy transformation and improve the charging experience of users of BYD Electric Vehicle (BEV) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

BYD will form a joint venture with Royal Dutch by providing capital and technical support, while Royal Dutch provides gas stations. The joint venture will lead in operating more than 10,000 charging terminals for electric vehicles in Shenzhen and gradually expand to other cities in China.

Chongqing plans to build more than 240,000 charging stations by the end of 2025, of which 30,000 will be public quick charging stations and 200 power conversion stations, forming a moderately advanced, balanced, intelligent, and efficient service system for charging and conversion facilities.

(Zhang Zhiying, as an intern, also contributed to this report.)