Jun 3 2009
365-Energy today announced that the Katholieke High School of Limburg (KHLim) will deploy ChargePoint™ Networked Charging stations from the world leading infrastructure manufacturer Coulomb Technologies as part of the first European Clean Mobility Center in Belgium. Coulomb’s international partner 365-Energy will provide the charging stations and manage the ChargePoint Network for subscribers. KHLim’s CO2 neutral area produces its own green energy through wind, heat and solar. KHLim also has its own energy grid to which the ChargePoint charging stations are connected.
The charging stations will be used for electrical vehicles which are owned by iNet, the research institute of KHLim. As part of the project, KHLim will acquire several electrical vehicles, such as bikes, scooters, motorbikes and cars, which will be rented to the general public at the University campus. The objective of the Clean Mobility Center is to create awareness with municipalities and corporations by demonstrating the solution and offering expertise.
“As a first class Clean Mobility Center we were looking for a first class charging infrastructure,” said Ludo Rutten, Valorization Manager at iNet. “Coulomb’s charging stations provide us with an innovative solution that will help accelerate the adoption of electrical vehicles. Besides deploying the technology, we partner with 365-Energy to develop a brand new e-mobility curriculum in Belgium.”
Drivers of electrical vehicles subscribe to the ChargePoint Network through a website and receive a ChargePoint Smart Card that allows them to charge their car at any charging station. To use a ChargePoint charging station, a driver holds an authorized Smart Card near the card reader on the station's front panel. Once authorized, the station door will unlock, allowing the driver to plug in his vehicle, and will energize the outlet once the door is safely locked securing the driver’s electrical cord.
Drivers can find available ChargePoint charging stations through Google™ maps and request new stations through a subscriber portal. As the network of ChargePoint stations expands across Europe, drivers will have access to the service in any city, regardless of their provider. The ChargePoint Network ensures the same roaming capabilities as mobile phone providers.