Bescom to utilise solar energy to power EV charging stations

BENGALURU: Bangalore Electric Supply Company (Bescom) is looking to utilise solar energy to power electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, in order to ensure clean transport is driven by clean energy.

112 EV charging stations are expected to be ready for use by August 2019, in the city. The stations available at present are located in four locations — the Bescom headquarters, Vikasa Soudha, Vidhana Soudha, and the office of Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC).

The new stations will primarily come up on government department premises such as BBMP ward offices, BMTC offices, Bescom and BMRCL offices, Karnataka Housing Board office, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board office and TTMC buildings.

C K Sreenath, DGM, Smart Grid and EV, Bescom, said that a few stations would be chosen to try out the project on a pilot basis, and it would be expanded based on the technical and financial success of the pilot.

“Under the ‘Smart Grid’ project, we are looking at adopting available technology and making an interactive grid. This includes smart metering, the DAS project, EV charging stations, and energy storage. In a few months, we are hoping to be able to start solar integration with the charging stations,” he said.