University of Kassel builds charging stations for electric cars

It is the first step in the development of a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles: Initially, three charging columns with two charging options each were installed at the Holländischer Platz campus in Kassel (near the central administration) and at the university locations Wilhelmshöher Allee in Kassel (Adolfstraße parking lot) and in Witzenhausen (Nordbahnhofstraße campus). In addition, four so-called wallboxes, i.e. intelligent wall charging stations, will be installed, three of which in the underground parking garage at Holländischer Platz and one in the Operations Technology building, also at the Holländischer Platz campus. Initially, this will be used to charge the existing electric service vehicles and the electric vehicles of other public institutions, e.g. vehicles of ministries or of guests of other universities. Later, the system may eventually be opened to employee vehicles.

Until now, vehicles have only been able to recharge from the normal grid. However, while only a charging power of 3.7 kW is achieved here, the new charging stations have a charging power of 22 kW, which significantly reduces charging times.

"The charging stations are part of a larger program to make the university's operations much more sustainable," explained Dr. Oliver Fromm, chancellor of the university. "In many areas, such as the energy efficiency of buildings or waste reduction, we have already made a whole step forward, but we want more. Above all, we want to reduce our CO2 emissions, and environmentally charged hybrid and electric vehicles help us do that." The university purchases 100 percent green electricity as part of the joint electricity supply agreement with the state of Hesse.

The charging stations each have two charging points. One vehicle can be charged at each of the wallboxes. The charging process is activated without contact using a charging card.

The cost of installing the systems is around 70,000 euros, of which around half is financed from the university's construction budget. The other half is borne by the Hessian Ministry of the Environment from funds for the implementation of the Integrated Climate Protection Plan Hesse (iKSP) 2025. With the climate protection plan, the Hessian state government has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. Greenhouse gas emissions are then to be reduced by at least 90 percent compared to 1990. By 2025, greenhouse gas emissions should already be 40 percent lower than in 1990.
 

Contact:
Dirk Schnurr
Energy Efficiency Manager
University of Kassel
Department of Construction, Technology and Real Estate
Tel.: 0561 804 2162
E-mail: dirk.schnurr[at]uni-kassel[dot]de

Sebastian Mense
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961
E-mail: presse[at]uni-kassel[dot]de