With the new SICHARGE FLEX high-power charging system, Siemens is breaking away from rigid infrastructure and separating the central power electronics from the actual charging points. In this interview, Marcel Rümenapf, Head of Germany and Head of Sales Europe at Siemens eMobility, explains how logistics companies and depot operators can save space, avoid costly peak loads, and scale their charging infrastructure precisely in line with fleet growth through this decentralized approach.
With SICHARGE FLEX, Siemens has opened a new chapter in the field of high-power and megawatt charging infrastructure. If you had to introduce the system to a fleet operator or logistics provider in three sentences: What is the new approach of this system, and what pressing problem in the market does it solve?
SICHARGE FLEX is a decentralized high-power charging system that decouples the central power units from the actual charging points – the so-called dispensers. The dispensers’ small footprint allows for additional flexibility. Operators can optimally adapt their charging infrastructure to available space, fleet structure, and future requirements – both at depots and in public spaces. This enables efficient, scalable electrification with optimized total cost of ownership.
The system separates the central power electronics from the actual charging stations, which can be located up to 300 meters away. How does this spatial flexibility specifically contribute to reducing initial investment costs for complex depot or fleet layouts?
The spatial separation makes it possible to install the power-intensive infrastructure centrally and in a space-saving manner, while the charging points can be flexibly positioned wherever they make operational sense. This significantly reduces civil engineering, cabling, and layout costs, especially in existing depots with limited space. At the same time, the modular architecture allows for gradual expansion – investments can be made precisely in line with fleet growth and do not need to be oversized in advance.
What measurable impact does this high degree of standardization have on installation time and the risk of errors during on-site commissioning?
A high degree of standardization simplifies planning, and the standardized, modular design combined with factory pre-assembly significantly simplifies implementation. This reduces both installation time and on-site complexity while minimizing typical sources of error during commissioning and integration. In practice, this means faster project implementation, greater predictability, and a lower risk of delays – a decisive advantage for time-critical electrification projects.
A key driver of the total cost of ownership is the ongoing electricity and grid usage fees. SICHARGE FLEX operates with fully dynamic power distribution in 80- or 120-kW increments. How does this fine-grained distribution prevent costly load peaks when multiple electric trucks or electric buses are charging simultaneously?
Dynamic power distribution allows the available energy to be intelligently distributed among multiple vehicles in real time. This ensures optimal utilization of installed capacity. In combination with charging management systems, charging processes are controlled in such a way that peak loads are avoided and grid capacities are not exceeded. This reduces energy and grid costs by preventing costly peak loads and optimizing the timing of charging processes.
In combination with digital solutions such as DepotFinity, Siemens promises intelligent charging management. Can you provide a concrete example of how the combination of smart software and SICHARGE FLEX hardware reduces operating costs compared to rigid charging solutions?
Intelligent charging management takes into account schedules, vehicle availability, electricity prices, and grid capacity. Vehicles are not charged immediately at maximum power, but rather in a targeted manner spread over a defined period of time. This allows for taking advantage of low electricity prices, avoiding peak loads, and utilizing the grid efficiently. Additionally, the systems react dynamically to deviations – such as vehicles arriving late – and automatically adjust the charging schedule.
What measurable impact does the high energy efficiency of the overall SICHARGE FLEX system (power factor and efficiency) have on the TCO? Can you quantify how much money a fleet operator saves annually simply by reducing conversion losses compared to less efficient systems?
High energy efficiency and a high power factor reduce conversion losses, thereby lowering operating costs. However, the exact financial impact depends heavily on site-specific factors such as energy prices, utilization rates, and charging profiles, which is why it is difficult to specify a universally applicable quantified savings figure.
Nevertheless, the effect is directly measurable in every project and consistently contributes to lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the system’s lifespan.