NETHERLANDS. Shell opens megawatt charger for trucks and ships in Amsterdam

Shell has developed and commissioned its first megawatt charger at the Energy Transition Campus Amsterdam (ETCA). Both electric trucks and electric ships can use the charging system. The capacity of the megawatt charger is roughly equivalent to three regular 350kW fast chargers that trucks currently use to charge.

“We want to help our customers in the logistics sector become more sustainable,” says Hilmar van den Dool, general manager of eMobility at Shell. “In addition to biofuels and LNG, we are also investing in electric mobility. There aren't many electric trucks and ships yet, so we're investing ahead in a market that's growing rapidly. It is in line with our aim to offer more and cleaner energy solutions.”

Melissa Williams, Director at Shell Marine added: “We believe this solution will be of use to shipping companies and logistics companies that have facilities that are served both waterside and landside. The megawatt charger also offers the flexibility to charge a wide range of inland and port vessels, such as cargo ships, tugboats, service vessels and ferries. The great thing is that the technology is now available and ready to use.”

Green electricity from 3,600 solar panels

The megawatt charger is connected to ETCA's own micro-electricity grid. This smart grid enables integration between energy supply, energy storage and energy demand. The ETCA microgrid includes 3,600 rooftop solar panels, battery storage, 119 EV chargers for regular cars, a hydrogen electrolyser, and other research equipment.

Suitable for a wide range of vehicles

The loading system is equipped with two separate loading arms. One swivel arm is intended for electric ships, the other arm serves heavy electric trucks and buses. Shell hopes that this will create a universal standard and that there will no longer be a need to work with different cables or couplings.

By placing a second adapter on each charging arm, the megawatt charger included with the ETCA can accommodate a wide range of vessels, vehicles and battery types for fast and flexible charging. Although the megawatt charger is a test set-up, it is ready for use and vehicles and ships with a megawatt charging capability can now visit by appointment.