Instavolt EV Hub
Banbury, Oxfordshire
Electric Vehicle Charging
In January 2022, the expansion of the Stroud Park hub in Banbury, Oxfordshire commenced. The project aimed to provide a full turnkey solution of the existing infrastructure with eight 150kW Alpitronic chargers added to the already operational eight 125kW chargers. The advancement also included improved lighting, widened access spaces and elongated parking spots to accommodate the growing fleet of electric vehicles and vans.
The project incorporated elements of sustainability and ecological preservation. ‘The plans also included seating on site and a small wildflower meadow, to increase biodiversity and create a habitat for pollinating insects’ – Source: The Energyst.com, April 2022.
One significant obstacle was the proximity of the feeder pillar to the substation, complicating the design and construction of the concrete trough and plinth. However, conformance to the rigorous standards outlined in BS7671 ensured that the project could continue safely and within the given timescales to meet the enerigsation date.
Several subcontractors and suppliers were involved in the project delivery. As a result of multiple stakeholders contributions, the seamless alignments of deliveries, equipment and contractors were imperative to deliver the construction plan efficiently and on time.
To navigate these challenges successful, a project manager was appointed to supervise the installation and co-ordinate all on-site activities. They effectively facilitated communication channels between the client, host DNO and several different subcontractors. HVSS played an important role in the project, undertaking both on-site and off-site trench civil works.
They supplied and installed the substation and GRP enclosure in addition to constructing the plinth necessary for the installation of an Instavolt supplied 1500kVA packaged substation. The LV cables were precisely routed to each of the eight chargers from newly constructed feeder pillars and all car park lighting was enhanced to ensure heightened visibility and improve the overall functionality and safety of the site.
Severe weather conditions and the tight time-scales we were working within proved very challenging however, the team worked very hard to overcome this and went on to deliver a quality project on time and within budget!
