FLEXMCS Project

Project Overview
The FLEXMCS project (Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems, open software architectures, and planning modules creating multi-charger hubs for the European electric mobility system) addresses the challenges of deploying electric charging infrastructure for trucks by designing highly energy efficient megawatt charging hubs that are flexible, scalable, and sustainable. These hubs will not only support fast charging for HDVs, but also slower charging for light vehicles during off-peak hours, integrating renewable energy sources and aiming at reducing grid dependency and energy losses.

FLEXMCS improved megawatt charging for logistics

The FLEXMCS project brings together 15 partners from 9 countries to advance technologies and practices for the efficient deployment of megawatt charging hubs across Europe. By overcoming barriers related to infrastructure investment, grid capacity, and user convenience, FLEXMCS aims to:

• Design multiport Megawatt charging hubs with optimized layouts that minimize costs and maximize flexibility for different vehicle types.
• Develop open software architectures for real-time data exchange between charge point operators (CPOs), the energy grid and fleet managers to ensure efficient infrastructure utilization and services.
• Streamline and accelerate the planning and installation of charging hubs, focusing on the most effective locations along TEN-T corridors.
• Conduct a six-month real-world demonstration at a site in Karlsruhe, Germany, to validate the technologies and tools developed with different vehicles and logistics operators.
• Gather business needs for viable MCS locations and specify future deployment scenarios and metrics.
• Key innovations include a central interoperable Energy Management System (iEMS), integration of renewable energy sources, and tools for predictive maintenance and operational efficiency.

FLEXMCS demonstration and outcomes

The FLEXMCS project will validate its innovative megawatt charging hub concept through a six-month demonstration at a dedicated hub in Karlsruhe, Germany. Key features include:

• Four megawatt charging points with multiport flexibility, supporting HDVs and light vehicles.
• Integration of renewable energy sources and stationary energy storage systems (BESS) to reduce grid impact.
• A digital twin-based Open Charging Framework architecture to optimize charging slot allocation, minimize downtime, and enhance user experience.
• Target utilization of 20 vehicles per day during the demonstration phase to achieve significant cost and energy savings.

Partners
The consortium includes key research institutions like Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Fraunhofer, along with testing organization Applus+ IDIADA, and brings together expertise from across the electric mobility value chain including vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure providers, and energy management specialists.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement number 101192657.