Swiss Post e-scooters to help stabilize the power grid

(CONNECT) Kyburz Switzerland AG from Embrach, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences andArts (HSLU) and PostBus Ltd are exploring the extent to which the batteries in Swiss Post's e-scooters are suitable for use as a virtual power plant. A corresponding pilot project has been launched in Fribourg, the three partners announced in a joint press release. They want to find out whether large numbers of batteries can make a contribution to stabilizing the electricity grid. The aim is also to clarify whether Swiss Post can earn money by using different electricity tariffs for bidirectional charging.

"As soon as the scooters arrive at the depot in the early afternoon, we calculate charging and discharging profiles according to Groupe-e's variable tariff in order to maximize the use of the vehicles to support the power grid," Severin Nowak from HSLU is quoted as saying in the press release. The batteries then serve as a virtual power station, but they must be fully charged when the delivery rounds start at 5 a.m. the next morning.

The pilot project is based on a charging process using alternating current, which is converted into direct current with the help of on-board chargers in the scooters. “This is the key innovation in this project,” explains Erik Wilhelm von Kyburz. “These are the first on-board devices of their kind that we are using here.” ce/hs