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Rethinking AV charging
Siemens has developed a charging station for battery AGVs at automated terminals
At the Siemens Cranes and Terminal Technology Conference (CTC) in Rotterdam in June, Dr Stefan Perras, VP of predevelopment and innovation at Siemens, presented the company’s concept for battery AGV charging at automated terminals. Dr Perras noted that AGV fleets, along with other equipment types, are being electrified for sustainability reasons. Currently, some battery AGVs use battery swapping systems that require considerable space on the terminal for “proprietary charging plugs”, he said.
Terminals are now looking at whether new technology can be applied to AGVs, to make the charging process simpler and more cost-effective, including automating connecting an AGV to a charging station.
Different technologies are under examination for specific applications. These include wireless inductive charging and two variants of automated connection. One is an ACDS (Automatic Connection Device Side) for connecting from the side of a vehicle, while the other is the ACDU (Automatic Connection Device Underbody). Reviewing the different concepts, Dr Perras said wireless charging is a low-power option (<11kW) and is best suited to residential charging applications like EVs. Standardisation is an issue, but there is work in progress.
Automated options
At this point, Dr Perras did not see either the mobile ACDU or ACDS concepts as being suitable for AGV charging in a port application. Under-vehicle charging is being proposed for the automotive industry, but it requires a connector to be developed.
Automated mobile side charging is an expensive proposition that requires a connection robot that would need to be suitable for outdoor usage. This is believed to be under consideration in some locations where large fleets of electric tractors are being considered and the labour environment would require separate personnel for plugging and unplugging chargers. Dr Perras did not think a mobile charging system was well suited to AGVs.
The best option at this point, Siemens believes, is a stationary ACDS with standardised plugs that would automate the connection process at the side of an AGV. Automated stationary options exist today, but these use a proprietary plug and socket from Staubli designed to SAE3105/3.
Dr Perras questioned whether it is a good thing for the industry to create a monopoly by using a proprietary plug design. Instead, Siemens recommends AGV charging using established standards from the e-mobility sector; either the Combined Charging System (CCS) plug or the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) plug.
To this end, Siemens has developed its “Autonomous Fast Charging Station”. This is a robust and durable out- door system that is capable of charging up to 1.44 MW. Importantly, the company is prepared for calibration law compliance and designed the charging station for the upcoming IEC 61851-27 standard.
Siemens offers its Fast Charging Station with either CCS or MCS plugs, and the system can connect to different Siemens power stations.
*This article first appeared in the September print edition of WorldCargo News