In this newsletter, we give you an overview of new BENEFIC project realizations in 2020. After two open calls for proposals in 2018, a total of 7.324.232 euros was granted for (ultra) (fast) charging infrastructure, gas stations for hydrogen and (L)CNG, and shore power installations.
As a result of several delays during the implementation of projects (among others due to the COVID-19 crisis), the BENEFIC partners requested an extension which is currently being processed. The BENEFIC partners are also considering the organization of a third, reflow call in 2021. Stay tuned!
Fastned - (ultra)fast chargers
Amsterdam
This Fastned station in Amsterdam is located on Tafelbergweg, on the so-called Foodstrip with a number of roadside restaurants. Fastned installed 10 spots for charging up to 300kW. The number of chargers may be expanded in the future because the occupancy rate is already high.
Rotterdam
This Fastned station is located on Stadionweg, on the outskirts of the city and close to the entrance and exit of the motorway. The station is well located for a large part of the residents and visitors of Rotterdam South. As a land owner, the municipality of Rotterdam has made a new location available for a fast charging station. This has helped to speed up the construction of a station in Rotterdam. The station with roof is clearly visible and accessible for both passenger cars and city distribution.
Ostend
The Fastned station in Ostend is located on the site of Ostend-Bruges Airport. The station serves both coastal traffic, as well as the taxis and shuttle services that serve passengers at the airport. The site has been made available by the airport operating company. Fastned installed 4 spots for charging up to 300 kW, with a possibility to expand in the future.
The awarded BENEFIC subsidy helped to partly cover the start-up investment costs for all three projects, thereby creating more certainty that the total investment in the station will be earned back.
Drive Systems - 2 LNG/CNG stations
Ranst
On 9 November 2020, the first LNG trucks were able to refuel at the brand new station of Drive Systems in Ranst. The station offers LNG in the direction of Eindhoven and Hasselt, and CNG in both directions, on the grounds of the E313 motorway station of Q8.
By offering LNG on the motorway, a new, efficient refueling option has been added for both international and regional transport, and detour kilometers are avoided.
Londerzeel
Also in Londerzeel, an LNG/CNG station was recently opened, in the heart of the Londerzeel - Willebroek logistics zone. This project was realized in collaboration with Transport Van den Broek and Brandstoffen Maes.
The 'Gasdrive' project lowers the thresholds for switching to gas-powered vehicles. This will give transport companies access to an alternative fuel that reduces both costs and environmental impact. Both stations will offer bio-LNG in the near future.
The financial support from the BENEFIC project was decisive in taking this new step in the expansion of the network of CNG and LNG stations for Drive Systems. The fact that the Flemish government is taking the initiative here to activate and make European funds available is particularly encouraging for smaller companies.
Port of Antwerp - 14 shore power cabinets
In this project, the Port of Antwerp installed new berths for inland vessels with shore power installations at the nature reserve "de Zouten". In total 14 shore power cabinets are available, each with 3 connection points that can be used simultaneously. The shore power cabinets are linked to a technical management system and a user platform, in this way skippers can log in and purchase and monitor shore power independently, without the help of third parties.
After a rather slow start, the shore power cabinets are now being used more and more, partly thanks to strict enforcement and reports from the local government. To date, a consumption of +/- 117 MWh has been registered. The implementation of a new user platform for shore power installations, in collaboration with De Vlaamse Waterweg, North Sea Port and a number of Dutch ports, should further increase ease of use and consumption.
The Benefic subsidy made it possible to more than double the existing shore power infrastructure (from 13 to 27 shore power cabinets for inland shipping) and thus significantly increase the available waiting places for inland shipping in the Port of Antwerp.