The University of Wollongong announced on Tuesday that it has secured a $450,000 grant from the NSW government to install three super-fast DC electric vehicle (EV) chargers.
Describing the plans as an effort to become the “fast-charging gateway to the Illawarra”, the University of Wollongong (UoW) will install three super-fast DC EV chargers, including two ABB Terra 360kW chargers and one ABB Terra 180kW charger.
Located within the P8 (Unicentre) casual parking lot, the chargers will be available to the public free of charge, allowing users to charge to full in 20 minutes with 100% renewable energy.
“This investment is a testament to UOW’s significant and continuing commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said Adam Malouf, UoW’s chief operating officer and vice-president of operations.
“The installation of these super-fast chargers will not only benefit our campus community but will also serve as a crucial resource for the broader public, contributing to the growth of electric vehicle adoption in the region.”
The three new chargers join a recently upgraded 180kW Ingeteam EV charger that has been installed at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, which is also available for use by the public.
“We are proud to be at the forefront of this green revolution,” added Dr Clayton McDowell, UoW’s associate director of sustainability and deputy director of the Centre for Supply Chain Research, who is managing the new EV project.
“The strategic location of our fast-charging site, less than 300m from the Princes Motorway, positions UOW as a pivotal hub in the development of the NSW EV Super-Highway.”
In addition to being free for public use, the new EV chargers will also contribute to ongoing research and education on energy grid management.
Further, through UoW’s Australian Power Quality Research Centre, the new EV chargers will also open the door for students and researchers to investigate the future management of the energy grid by exploring charging behaviours and how EVs will continue to shape electricity grids.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.