Electric charging infrastructure of the future: OMEI pilot plants in implementation

A team of ten strong players in the field of energy, science and industry has set itself the goal of supporting the development of smart applications of artificial intelligence for a modern, clean, efficient and affordable electric charging structure. Under the direction of the Landshut University of Applied Sciences with the TZ Energie, a comprehensive, freely accessible database is being set up in the "Open Mobility Electric Infrastructure" (OMEI) project and an e-charging concept with a sustainable storage system and the use of regional, renewable energy is being developed. Two of the three demonstration sites have already been set for testing: at the barrier-free open air swimming pool in Perlesreut and at the technology campus in Teisnach.

Perlesreut pilot plant under construction

After completion of the planning and development phase, the set up a demonstration facility at the barrier-free swimming pool in Perlesreut should begin in the spring. Here, the bidirectional use, i.e. the charging and discharging of the electric vehicle storage system, is controlled with the help of artificial intelligence in order to contribute to the energy optimization of the building together with an existing block heating station and heat pump. An energy management system ensures modern regulation of thermal and electrical energy. In this way, for example, a lot of energy can be saved with the attraction pumps in the swimming pool (water slide, etc.). A digital touch panel is intended to interactively bring this intelligent control closer to visitors.

Pilot plant at Mer Germany

The second OMEI pilot plant is located on the technology campus at Mer Germany in Teisnach: A fast charging infrastructure will be installed and tested here in the near future, which is linked to sustainable storage systems.

Mer is represented in over 5 countries and has access to over 200,000 charging points throughout Europe and 25,000 own charging stations. Therefore, the company is a key player in the project. Mer combines the expansion of electromobility with the expansion of renewable energies, and the company's own PV charging park for e-cars speaks for itself.

Industry and science pull together

While the battery manufacturers CERQ (Jena) and Fenecon (Deggendorf) as well as the charging station operator Mer Germany are responsible for the installation and operation of the energy storage and fast charging stations, the TZ Energie works together with Heitec (Erlangen) to develop the system structure and the operating strategies of the charging infrastructure and the energy storage. The energy management of the Vehicle-to-Home infrastructure installed in Perlesreut is mirrored at the TZ Energie and scientifically monitored from there. In addition, the TZE, together with the University of Passau, is responsible for the simulation models and tests the Vehicle-to-Home applications. Technagon (Grafenau) is developing a bidirectional wall box for Vehicle-to-Home applications. Ilzer Land coordinates the construction of the Vehicle-to-Home demonstration facility in Perlesreut and is responsible for public participation and public relations.

Inclusion of the public

On October 26th, the OMEI Conference 2023 on the subject of "Sustainable energy supply through e-mobility with hybrid storage and V2X" will take place for the first time in the culture pavilion in Grafenau. Here the project is to be presented to a broad audience through interesting lectures and opinions are to be exchanged. Thematic workshops are then planned for 2024 in order to let interested companies participate in the innovations. "This brings considerable value creation potential for the region," says Michael Hasenberger, project manager and economic coordinator from Ilzer Land.

The OMEI project is funded with a total of 6.9 million euros by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport.

About the BMDV’s AI funding program

The BMDV promotes the development and testing of innovative technologies that support or enable intelligent mobility across all modes of transport. Many of these applications use the possibilities of artificial intelligence for this purpose. You can find more information at www.bmdv.bund.de.