How OpenGrid Simplifies EV Fast Charger Installation and Meets Drivers’ Energy Needs: Here’s Our Answer

Overview

In 2025, we’ll likely reach the tipping point for EV adoption as prices for electric vehicles align with those of gasoline-powered cars, and automakers introduce better and more affordable models. However, a key challenge in the short to mid-term will be how quickly the build-out of EV charging stations can keep pace with this growing demand. Companies — both established players and startups — have explored various ways to make EV charging infrastructure cheaper, less reliant on the grid, and more reliable. But as of 2024, building a fast-charging station remains expensive, with costs ranging from $200K to $500K or more, and the grid is still insufficient to support the number of stations needed. Drivers’ experiences, too, have been far from ideal.

While EV charging technology is well-defined and battery-integrated charging is not new, industry trailblazers have faced criticism for high costs, subpar charging experiences, and poor ROI. OpenGrid recognizes the potential of battery integration technology and understands the need to balance cost, performance, and user experience. Our solution is simple: build a nimble yet powerful battery-backed charger with mid-range charging speed designed for locations where drivers can stay a bit longer and ensure a consistent charging experience. This approach allows us to keep costs in check, meet drivers’ expectations, and make fast charging more widely accessible.

So, what exactly are we building at OpenGrid? In partnership with Detroit Smart Parking Lab and NextEnergy , OpenGrid installed and demonstrated its OdeumOne 50 kW EV fast charger in Detroit, MI. Through this demonstration, we showcased several key features designed to simplify the installation of fast chargers and enhance the charging experience for EV users.

Let’s dive in.

1: Unboxing the OdeumOne charger

At this stage, you’ll notice how our solution differs from traditional EV fast charging systems. The charger arrives in a fully self-contained wooden crate with no additional attachments. For our 50 kW fast charger, there’s no need for a separate power cabinet or transformer. Everything required for setup — four 9 kWh battery modules (providing 36 kWh of energy storage), AC/DC and DC/DC power modules, and control units — is integrated within the charger. Weighing in at 1,650 pounds, the charger can be moved to its installation site using a simple manual pallet jack. By shipping the fully integrated unit in a single crate, we’ve not only streamlined the process but also achieved significant cost savings, making it the lightest battery-integrated fast charger on the market.

2: Installation & Set up

This is where the magic happens. At the Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL), we had access to a standard 208 VAC, 3-phase, 50 A power supply, which typically powers only a level-2 charger. However, with that same input, we were able to deliver 45 kW of fast charging by utilizing the battery for energy storage. The integrated battery provided 30 kW, while the grid added 15 kW, giving us a combined total of 45 kW.

Connecting the charger to the electrical panel was straightforward. We installed a three-wire breaker into the panel, connecting the wires to L1, L2, L3, and the ground of the charger’s input port at the bottom. The entire installation took about 2 hours. Even in other locations where we need to pour a concrete base and set up a separate panel and meter, the process would still take no more than 2 days.

3: Plug-in & Charge

Time to charge. For this demonstration, we set the charging speed to 39 kW with a 45-minute time limit. We ran two rounds of 45-minute sessions to see if both the charger and the car could maintain this speed. The test vehicle was a 2022 Tesla Model 3 with a standard range.

First 45-minute session: We started at 20% state of charge (SOC), and within a few seconds, the charging speed ramped up to 38 kW. As expected, the charging speed remained steady throughout the entire 45-minute session. As shown in the image below, after 43 minutes, the charger held at 38.62 kW, with the Model 3 accepting the full power. By the end of the 45 minutes, the Model 3 had received 29.025 kWh of energy, increasing its SOC from 20% to 70%.

Second 45-minute session: We didn’t stop there. To showcase how the OdeumOne charger performs in back-to-back charging scenarios, we immediately began a second 45-minute session. This time, we set the charging speed to 40 kW and kept it constant. Just 30 seconds after starting, the charging speed reached 39.96 kW. After only 17 minutes, the Model 3’s SOC reached 90%, and it was still charging at 38.25 kW — showing only a minimal drop in speed as the battery approached full capacity.

To recap, during the first 45-minute charging session, the Model 3 charged from 20% to 70% SOC. Then, just 17 minutes into the second session, it reached 90%. In total, the OdeumOne charger added 70% SOC, or 42 kWh of energy, to the Model 3 within 62 minutes. Afterward, we waited an additional 13 minutes to fully charge the car to 100%, during which the speed dropped to 20 kW as the battery neared full capacity.

Now, you’re probably wondering how the charger’s internal battery held up. Could it handle another session? The answer is yes. When the Tesla finished charging, the OdeumOne charger still had 30% SOC remaining in its 36 kWh battery modules. After we unplugged the Model 3, the charger immediately began recharging itself using 15 kW from the grid, and within 30 minutes, it reached 54% SOC. This made the integrated battery ready for a third fast-charging session at 40 kW. So, with a bit of session and idle time planning, we can ensure the charger operates efficiently and provides a consistent and reliable charging experience for every driver.

End note: A driver’s perspective

As an EV driver, what does this mean for you? Well, consider this: the average fast charging session consumes about 25 to 30 kWh, while a typical grocery shopping trip lasts around 30 to 45 minutes. By simplifying the infrastructure requirements and reducing disruptions, we can bring fast chargers directly to the places you visit most — like your local grocery store, favorite restaurants, or other routine stops. Charging at these familiar locations becomes part of your week without feeling like a chore or detour. With OdeumOne, fast charging could easily become your primary public charging solution, conveniently accessible wherever you go.

As an EV driver, you’ve already made the switch to a new way of “refueling.” Let’s not complicate it further. Instead, we aim to make fast charging a natural and effortless part of your weekly routine, fitting seamlessly into your life without disruption.

Appendix: Charging various EV makes and models