Voimakatu Park: Wireless Network can save tens of tons
An electric car charging system was built in the Voimakatu parking garage in Tampere in 2020. The project could have been very expensive, but by optimizing the implementation method, we managed to save a significant amount from the customer.
How was the savings achieved?
The project started with an electrical designer, which took into account both electrical and telecommunications solutions. The plan defined a few chargers that Eparking did not initially include.
After receiving tenders, we noticed that it was an extensive project, but there was a chance to rationalize costs. The designer had done careful groundwork for the electrical system, but Ethernet cabling was selected as a telecommunications solution for each charging point. This would have meant more than five kilometers of cabling, cable routes, telejacked and other components required by telecommunications infrastructure.
We started wondering if the telecommunications could be implemented with a wireless mesh network. According to our calculations, this solution would eliminate the need for long cables and telecommunications centers, which would significantly save both material and installation costs.
We offered the customer two options: the original Ethernet cabling and alternative implementation on the wireless mesh network. Thanks to the wireless solution, infrastructure costs were reduced by more than € 30,000. The customer was delighted with the savings point and selected the Eparking Charging System.
Project in a nutshell
The Voimakatu parking garage is used by four housing companies and its power supply comes from one power company. The aim of the project was to enable 11 kW to charge all hall users and to upgrade the power infrastructure to meet future download needs. The housing association received 35 % ARA grant.
Implementation of the electrical and charging system:
Four distribution centers were installed and the electrical headquarters expanded.
A separate measurement center was built for charging electric cars.
A level 2 load management system was introduced, which monitors the total consumption of the electrical connection in real time.
The residents were allowed to choose an 11 kW Type 2 charging device either without a sock.
The chargers were delivered from our partner Harju Elekter's Elektra range.
Costs and implementation figures:
Total Electrical Contract (Mapping, Distribution Centers, Electrical Main Center and Measurement Center): approximately € 120,000
Charging device price (incl. VAT): about 2000 € / device
Average cost per charging point (incl. Charging device, installation and cable bet): approx. 2600 €
Cable readiness was implemented for 85, 35 ready -made charging devices (mainly Type 2 11 kW chargers).
Cabling and installation cost per charge: approx. 350 €
Billing and Payment Transport: Charging electricity consumption is invoiced through the EParking system directly to the housing association's account without commission. The housing company determines the price of electricity and the billing is on its own VAT stock (in this case 0 %). The billing service costs will be charged directly from the shareholder, so there will be no additional costs for the housing company. It is only the responsibility of the property manager to follow the entry of the fees.
Note on the project
Construction of electric cars charging solutions is not necessarily expensive or complicated. The right choices can significantly save you both money and time. In this project, we managed to reduce the cost by tens of thousands of euros with a small but impressive change - optimizing the telecommunications solution. Originally, the customer had not noticed that updating the telecommunications solution could have such a major impact on the total price of the project.
This project also shows that the charging capacity of the parking garages can be customized on a large scale according to the customer's needs. The aim was to be prepared for the future electric car for the Voimakatu Hall, making it capacity for up to 250 half -speed chargers. Initially, 60 chargers were introduced, but the property is now capable of expanding the charging capacity flexibly.
The Voimakatu parking garage is not just an investment in the future, but also an example of how an electric cars charging solution can be implemented in a cost -effective and scalable way. You can read about the implementation of a similar project on a smaller scale in our second reference writing , which will discuss the construction of the Helsinki -based parking garage to build a condominium.
