Innovative Electric Vehicle Charging System Installed by Kempower in South Durham

Kempower, in collaboration with EVRevolution and supported by Atlas Copco Group, Husqvarna Construction, Volvo Construction Equipment, and the Sweden-US Green Transition Initiative, successfully installed a fully electrified Kempower Satellite Charging System at its North America headquarters in Durham on Wednesday.

The initiative aims to showcase the potential of sustainable construction practices by “Building Electric with Electric.”

“Using electric vehicles reduces harmful pollutants that cause asthma and climate change. These benefits are increased when the electricity used to power the vehicles comes from clean, renewable sources,” said Heather Brutz, clean transportation program director at North Carolina State University. Brutz rallied alongside representatives from the Durham County Commission, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster to witness the installation.

“From fast-charging capabilities to wireless charging solutions, manufacturers are continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible, driving unprecedented growth and development. This is what people, the economy, and the world need today. We’re proud to have Kempower doing this work in Durham,” said Matt Gladdek, vice president of economic development at the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce.

“Electric vehicles represent a promising solution to combat air pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making the DC-FC EV charging industry a key player in facilitating this transition,” said Mark Kurilla, solutions applications engineer at Kempower North America.

“By displaying a fully electrified EV Charging Satellite, we aim to help demonstrate the feasibility of accelerating the transition to electric transportation if we all just work together,” said Joel Bulpitt of EVRevolution.

While the number of electric on-road vehicles and the need for charging infrastructure continues to rise in the U.S., there is an overlooked avenue for CO2 reductions even before the chargers become operational. Using electric machines, “building electric with electric,” will reduce the carbon footprint within the construction phase. Air and noise pollution, as well as vibrations, will also be reduced, benefiting the operators, job site, and neighbors.

The project involves:

• Installation of Kempower’s 600 kW Power Units with six charging plugs at two building locations on the Kempower campus. Kempower’s DC fast chargers can be equipped with CCS1, CHAdeMO, and NACS connectors.
• The full commission by EVRevolution, based in Raleigh.
• Electric equipment used includes the K 1 PACE power cutter, the LF 60i LAT forward plate compactor, and the Husqvarna WT 15i water tank.
• Construction equipment used includes the electric excavator and L25 Electric loader from Volvo Construction Equipment.
• Electric equipment from Atlas Copco USA: a single-stage, oil-injected, rotary screw-type air compressor.

The manufacturers provided on-site training and support and collected data that will be used to document CO2 reductions and gain valuable feedback from the contractor.

“Atlas Copco Group, Husqvarna Construction, and Volvo Construction Equipment have teamed up with the Sweden-U.S. Green Transition Initiative to showcase fully electrified construction of green infrastructure in the U.S. This project, together with Kempower, is the perfect example of how global companies can collaborate to support cities in reaching their climate targets,” said Johanna Eklund, project manager at the Sweden-U.S. Green Transition Initiative.

“With our growing range of battery and corded equipment, we’re well-positioned to meet green job-site requirements. To enable this transformation, we believe in partnerships and will continue to collaborate with customers and leading companies in the industry,” said Ryan Wesselschmidt, SVP of sales & services and GM, North America at Husqvarna Construction.

“By working together with construction and rental companies, government officials, and industry associations, we can amplify the impact of our electrification initiatives and pave the way for a more sustainable future for all,” stated Ray Gallant, vice president of sustainability and productivity at Volvo CE, North America.

“At Atlas Copco, we strive to develop new technologies that transform the future. Within Power Technique North America, this means that we want to provide the most sustainable solutions for tough applications,” said Wouter Vlamynck, president and GM at Atlas Copco Group Power Technique NA LLC.

With this innovation comes the challenge of navigating a complex landscape of regulatory frameworks, standards, and infrastructure requirements, further emphasizing the need for strategic decision-making and forward-thinking leadership.

“Innovations in electric transportation, advanced by Kempower and other cleantech companies, drive us forward. We are excited to support Kempower’s efforts to bring these innovations to life here in North Carolina and deploy them throughout the world,” said Dr. Deb Wojcik, executive director of the Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster.