- EVs from different makers require different charging methods -- with some using AC or DC
- This won’t be an issue at Dewa’s upcoming charging station, as charging will soon get even more convenient, with the new universal charger developed by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
- As such, drivers no longer need to bring their own cables because the smart system can charge all kinds of EVs with a single cable and plug.
- Powered by artificial intelligence (AI), this system automatically adapts the plug and charger to the vehicle’s requirements.
- New system includes an optical identification system, a camera, a microprocessor unit, and an AI programme that can recognise the vehicle plate number
- It then identifies the appropriate type of plug for the vehicle through the stored database and tells the system to activate the required charging system
Dubai: Private electric vehicle owners in Dubai – there’s more good news for you.
Already, those registered for the Green Charger services can charge their vehicles at public charging stations for free until December 31, 2021, while commercial vehicles can do the charging for 29 fils/kWh.
Now, in a major milestone, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced that it has come up with a universal smart system for electric vehicle charging stations. Essentially, the system can charge all kinds of electric vehicles, whether they use AC or DC, with a single cable and plug.
The user-friendly charging station, for which a patent has been registered, simplifies the charging process and makes it as easy as possible for drivers of electric vehicles to charge their cars. Drivers do not need to bring their own cables. Instead, the charging station is a one-stop point for all types of electric vehicle, as it automatically adapts the plug and the charging to the vehicle’s requirements.
According to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, “The new patent registered by Dewa will provide a seamless and innovative experience that is consumer- and environment-friendly. It will also raise Dewa’s position as a pioneering world-class utility.”
The new patent registered by Dewa will provide a seamless and innovative experience that is consumer- and environment-friendly. It will also raise Dewa’s position as a pioneering world-class utility.
How it works
Hamad Mohamed Albeshr, a researcher in smart grids integration at the R&D Centre, explained how the auto-adaptive universal charger system works.
To charge electric vehicles, Electric Vehicle Green Charger subscribers must scan a special card issued by Dewa. Connect the cable to the charger, and then to the vehicle, to start charging.
Dr. Saif Almheiri, Vice President of Research & Development at Dewa, expects that once rolled out, the new system will significantly improve customer services. He said the centre will continue conducting researches and publish them in scientific journals to maintain Dewa’s global leadership. "We strive to enrich the scientific community locally and globally. To achieve this, we develop talents and provide an interactive and positive environment to help researchers innovate and create," said Dr Almheiri.
AI-driven
The new system includes an optical identification system, a camera, a microprocessor unit, and an AI programme that can recognise the vehicle plate number and identify the appropriate type of plug for the vehicle through the stored database. The system then automatically activates the required charging system.
“This entire process takes place without any external interference, and during an easy process where all what the customer has to do is to pull the cable and connect it to the vehicle,” said Albeshr. This entire process takes place without any external interference, Albeshr said. All users have to do is pull the cable and connect it to the vehicle.
Dr Edwin Rodriguez-Ubinas, senior researcher at DEWA R&D Centre and co-inventor, said the universal electric vehicle charger idea is a research project on human-centric electric vehicle charging stations.
“The project aims to find innovative solutions to challenges faced by customers during the traditional charging process in stations with standard, fast and non-straightforward services,” said Dr Rodriguez-Ubinas.
Single cable and plug
In a nutshell, Dewa’s researchers integrated all EV charging methods, created a single cable and plug compatible with all systems, and then automated the process, said Dr Endika Bilbao Muruaga, also senior researcher at the centre and a co-inventor.
“Our researches focused on integrating all of these charging methods, creating a single cable and plug compliant with all the methods. Additionally, the process has been automated,” said Muruaga, senior researcher at DEWA R&D Centre and co-inventor.
Dr. Saif Almheiri, Vice President of Research & Development at Dewa, expects that once rolled out, the new system will significantly improve customer services. He said the centre will continue conducting researches and publish them in scientific journals to maintain Dewa’s global leadership. "We strive to enrich the scientific community locally and globally. To achieve this, we develop talents and provide an interactive and positive environment to help researchers innovate and create," said Dr Almheiri.
Dewa’s R&D Centre has published 65 scientific papers in clean energy. The R&D Centre’s studies highlight four major operational areas: electricity generation from solar energy, integration of smart grids, energy efficiency, and water.
