Partners

The FLEXMCS project brings together a leading consortium of industry, academia, and research institutions from across Europe.

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VUB

Our Mission as EPOWERS Research Group of ETEC-VUB is to offer and deliver cutting-edge research, provide top-notch designs and developments on power electronics, powertrains and smart green energy solutions with intelligent control systems for tomorrow's mobility, transport and smart green grid applications, with our ever-growing team of top-level researchers and experts. Our academic record at world's most renowned academic journals in relevant fields, a good word from our established national and international collaboration network of companies and research institutes, the content of the ever-growing number of projects we are involved with can be reference to our level of expertise.

Expert Skills - Power Electronics is the base of our core expertise, where we excel in power electronics converters, inverter systems, power supplies, intelligent systems such as battery management and smart charging systems with specific focus on various electric, (plug-in) hybrid vehicles and fleets. We deliver highly advanced work on Vehicle Powertrains, where we design and optimize powertrains, multi-level and integrated eco-energy management systems (EMS) and fleet management systems. We also perform design and optimization of Electric Machines, assess their performances and apply novel control methods. Since future systems require a specific emphasis on Smart Energy Solutions we perform R&D on design architecture and sizing of green assets, smart charging with V2X functionality flexibility, energy management and control systems. Furthermore, we make use of dedicated digital methods for Digital Twin & Reliability of any related system in order to perform and develop novel reliability and failure models, digital twin approaches for fleet management and power electronics converters. Please check our research tracks for more information.

Role in FLEXMCS

The EPOWERS Research Group at VUB-ETEC-MOBI, is coordinating the EU FLEXMCS project. VUB will also develop tools to optimize both the chargers' power electronics architecture and charging site layout. These tools will enable enhance combined charging for both CCS and MCs outlets and provide an optimal site design for different business cases. Further, VUB will define the multi-layer EMS architecture and specifically contribute to medium-level controller, for optimal modular operation of the chargers. VUB will also provide a lifetime assessment tool for reduced power electronics health degradation. Finally, VUB will provide a robust TCO assessment linked to large-scale geographical deployment strategies of the solutions.

Website: https://mobi.research.vub.be/epowers-research-group

JEMA ENERGY

Jema Energy has more than 70 years of experience in constant technological evolution in order to respond to society's demand for new energy and transport solutions.

The company is a European benchmark in the design and manufacture of heavy-duty vehicle charging systems. It currently has more than 1800 charging points installed in Europe.

At Jema Energy we continue to work on the development of new solutions in charging systems for trucks and buses, and with this objective, we participate in European groups such as NexteTruck, CharIn, UITP and ASSURED.

Role in FLEXMCS

During the FLEXMCS Project, Jema as a charging infrastructure manufacturer, will design, develop, manufacture, and test a new MCS charger for long-distance heavy-duty applications or vehicles. One of the key aspects of the project is that the designed charger will be able to charge one vehicle with the MCS plug, 3 vehicles with the HPC plug or 6 vehicles with the CCS plug.

Throughout the project the charger will be tested in Jema’s facilities, homologation center and a use case location. These three testing sites will increase the reliability of the product during the projects duration and whenever it’s released to the market as it will be tested in different scenarios, from laboratory to real life gaining knowledge that will be applied to give the best solutions to future customers.

Website: www.jemaenergy.com

BOSCH

Bosch Road Services offers two key services: secure truck parking and truck charging.

We are the leading booking platform in Europe with a network of 600+ reservable sites.

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability.

Role in FLEXMCS

Bosch will be involved in the following activities:

  • Providing space for the erection of charging system on Ten-T corridor in proximity to highway A5, in our Karlsruhe facility.

  • Charging booking system linked to the truck’s control unit in order to identify the energy needs and the charging profiles of the electric vehicles that are expected to charge on megawatt charging systems.

  • Access system linked to the reservation system to allow an interoperable multipoint megawatt charging systems

  • Integration of EV route planner with automatic booking

  • Operating FLEXMCS charge points (CPO)

  • Integrated and flexible interaction control and energy management based on interoperable and open protocols between on-board and off-board charging-related components and the local grid demand flexibility providers, renewable electricity generation and energy storage systems.

Website: https://www.bosch-secure-truck-parking.com/en/

ELAADNL

Knowledge and innovation center ElaadNL researches and tests smart and sustainable charging of electric vehicles. ElaadNL is an initiative of the joint Dutch Grid Operators. Due to their mutual involvement in ElaadNL, the network operators are preparing for a future with electric driving and sustainable charging.

Role in FLEXMCS

ElaadNL and its members have key experience in applying new approaches and techniques regarding the ground works, connecting to the grid and standardising the installation of different brands of charging equipment, crucial for mass deployment.

Website: https://elaad.nl/en/

ALFEN

Alfen is a leading energy specialist in Europe and offers smart grid solutions, energy storage systems and charging points for electric vehicles for the energy landscape of the future.

Role in FLEXMCS

ALFEN bring its expertise in providing smart grid solutions and energy storage systems for electric vehicles to the project.

Website: https://alfen.com/en-nl

AIT

AIT - Austrian Institute of Technology is Austria’s largest Research and Technology Organization (RTO) and an internationally recognized player in applied research. With its commitment to driving innovation and delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving demands in advanced technological development, AIT serves as a trusted partner for industries in Europe and beyond, while maintaining its position among the top employers within the research community.

Role in FLEXMCS

AIT is centrally involved in shaping the technical aspects of the FLEXMCS project, in order to ensure robust and efficient charging solutions, with the aim of promoting sustainable transport solutions in Europe. The role of AIT is to support the reaching of project objectives through comprehensive requirements gathering, design optimization, tool development, and large-scale deployment support.

Website: www.ait.ac.at

IDIADA

Applus+ IDIADA is a global partner to the automotive industry with over 30 years’ experience supporting its clients in product development activities by providing design, engineering, testing and homologation services.

IDIADA’s success in product development is built on a unique blend of highly experienced engineers, state-of-the-art test and development facilities and the constant drive towards innovation. The company has 2.850 professionals and an international network of 56 subsidiaries and branch offices in 22 countries, ensuring its clients receive fast, customized solutions.

IDIADA provides comprehensive design, engineering, and validation services for vehicle development projects.

IDIADA has the most comprehensive proving grounds in Europe and Asia, located in Spain and China. Both facilities offer a wide variety of test tracks with the highest standards of safety and confidentiality.

As a trusted partner in electric vehicle charging, we collaborate with key industry stakeholders to advance charging technologies and enhance the user experience, ensuring safe, efficient, and future-ready solutions.

Role in FLEXMCS

FLEXMCS will provide the capacity to upgrade our current system for battery emulation (500kW) and will give added value for the already developed MCS testing simulator for the ZEFES project.

The project will integrate new hardware and services like protocols (OCPP / OCPI), batteries, energy grids or power suppliers like photovoltaic panels, to existing charging infrastructures and EVIOM platform to provide new algorithms for dynamic energy management system in the cloud.

Study of non-technical barriers (incl. regulatory hurdles, market dynamics, and stakeholder resistance) impacting the deployment of MCSs, and mitigation strategies will be foreseen.

Website: https://www.applusidiada.com/global/en/

RICARDO

Ricardo is a global, strategic, engineering and environmental consultancy for the energy transition; the business has an automative and industrial heritage, with a value chain that includes the niche manufacture and assembly of high-performance products.

Our 100+ years of commitment to research and development enables the Ricardo team of consultants, environmental specialists, economists, professional engineers and scientists to deliver class-leading innovative and sustainable solutions, helping to solve the most complex, dynamic challenges for our public and private sector clients. These include power utilities and energy companies, major transport equipment manufacturers and operators, supply chain companies, financial institutions and government agencies.

Headquartered in the UK, Ricardo has engineering technical centres in the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Italy and the UK, and offices across Europe including in Denmark, Germany, Greece and Spain.

Role in FLEXMCS

Ricardo strives to create a safe and sustainable world by enabling our customers to solve their complex challenges. Supporting the transition to zero emission vehicle technologies fits this requirement, as it challenges the road freight industry to rethink operations and the business models deployed. 

Critical to delivering this will be an optimised relationship between the requirements of the logistics industry and the capacity and planning capabilities of grid operators. With over 15 years of network innovation and technical standards delivery for the power industry, Ricardo is well placed to bridge the requirements, perspectives and motivations of both the power and vehicle and logistics sectors. Ricardo has a long heritage of supporting power utilities and the wider sector incorporate smart grid approaches and new technologies.

In FLEXMCS, Ricardo will lead Work Package 4, “Advanced tools and services for planning, efficient operation and performance with MCS hubs”. This consists of 4 key tasks.

Website: https://www.ricardo.com/en

TNO

TNO (Dutch organization of applied scientific research) is one of the major contract research organisations in Europe. TNO connects people and knowledge to create innovations that boost the competitive strength of industry and the well-being of society in a sustainable way. By translating scientific knowledge into practical applications, TNO contributes to the innovation capacity of businesses and government. This is TNO’s  mission and it is what drives the over 4000 professionals at TNO, in our every day job.  As an independent research organisation, we work in collaboration with partners and focus on several domains.

Role in FLEXMCS

Efficient mobility and logistics are vital for the prosperity and well-being of society. One of the major challenges of today’s society, is to mitigate the large amount of emissions produced by the mobility sector.  Based on this, TNO actively supports the integration of electric vehicles into the mobility sector by developing innovative technologies that enable the energy transition.

Particularly within FlexMCS, TNO will develop and research on several areas in collaboration with partners. Key topics will be:

  • An Open Operational Architecture for standardizing the data transfer between electric trucks, (public) charging hubs, and fleet planners, which is required for commercial applications of electric vehicles. 

  • (Further) Development of a digital twin platform which complies with common performance and safety requirements for the automotive industry.

  • Electric vehicle digital agents for supporting the planning and charging of electric trucks in fleet operations.

  • Digital twins of batteries in battery energy storage systems (BESS) for supporting (predictive) energy management operations in charging hubs.

  • TNO act as WP leader for Work Package 6.

    Website: https://www.tno.nl/en/

DAF

DAF Trucks N.V. is a technology company and the premier commercial vehicle manufacturer in Europe. DAF is a wholly owned subsidiary of PACCAR Inc, the worldwide quality leader in the design and manufacturing of premium light, medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

DAF Trucks’ core activities are focused on the development, production, marketing, and sale of medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. All DAF products are backed up by a full range of services. DAF Trucks also produces components for third parties, ranging from axle assemblies to complete engines for buses and coaches and special vehicles. The customer is DAF’s top priority. Low costs per kilometer, high quality, driver comfort, low fuel consumption, minimal impact on the environment and high transport efficiency characterise all DAF products. DAF Trucks has production facilities in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, in Westerlo, Belgium, in Leyland United Kingdom and in Ponta Grossa, Brazil. Thanks to its high efficiency and the world class manufacturing and products, the company has established a strong competitive position on the European market.

In addition to the usual focus areas in the truck industry - such as reliability, fuel economy, driver comfort and cost per kilometer - there are two major social themes at DAF that drive the development of future technologies: the worldwide reduction of CO₂ and the improvement of the air quality, especially in urban areas. DAF is developing and testing many new and existing technologies on the road to cleaner and more sustainable road transport.

Role in FLEXMCS

DAF understand the importance of cutting CO2 emissions and are committed to have reduced the CO2 emissions of the trucks we sell by 45% in 2030 (compared to the trucks that have being sold in 2019), as required by the European Union. For this reason new powertrain solutions are needed that reduces CO2 or even emits no CO2 at all. The biggest challenge however is not the truck powertrain itself but the infrastructure in the EU in order to get the carbon neutral energy (electricity) efficient at the right place in the right amount at the right time for a competitive price.

The DAF role in this project is to bring in Heavy Duty Truck technology, user expectations and user applications. This is needed for developing user friendly charging protocols and make Battery Electric Vehicle charging as efficient as possible. Furthermore DAF will bring in test trucks that can be used to validate the charging protocols and the charging efficiency.    

Website: https://www.daf.com/en/sites-landing

IVECO

IVECO is a brand of Iveco Group N.V. (EXM: IVG). IVECO designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, off-road trucks and vehicles suitable for any body type.

IVECO’s full-line offer is designed around the Driver’s needs to ensure an excellent experience with a focus on safety and comfort. A wide range of advanced digital, connectivity-enabled services developed to help fleet owners run their fleet efficiently enhance IVECO’s complete transport solution.

IVECO pursues its decarbonisation strategy through a multi-energy approach that includes the further development of bio-methane, battery electric and fuel cell technologies. 

IVECO drives the road of change by powering the transformation of the transport industry, propelled by the ambition to be the most reliable partner and full-line player for its customers.

Role in FLEXMCS

IVECO is committed to contributing to the decarbonisation of the commercial transport industry. It does so by collaborating with like-minded partners and participating in forward-looking projects like FLEXMCS. In this project, IVECO will provide the new Heavy Duty electric vehicle equipped with Megawatt Charging System technology.

Website: https://www.iveco.com/global/welcome/

ALICE

ALICE is a European Technology Platform (ETP) dedicated to shaping the future of logistics and supply chain management. Bringing together industry leaders and experts, ALICE drives forward-thinking solutions to make transport and logistics more efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective—helping the sector transition towards net-zero emissions.

Collaboration is at the heart of ALICE’s mission. By fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and uniting key stakeholders, ALICE plays a pivotal role in advancing research and innovation. The platform actively supports and advises the European Commission in executing EU-funded programs such as Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, ensuring that groundbreaking ideas turn into real-world impact.

Role in FLEXMCS

In the FLEXMCS project, ALICE is responsible for engaging stakeholders, gathering user requirements and addressing barriers to the deployment of megawatt charging infrastructure. Through active participation in the work packages on requirements, deployment strategies and dissemination, ALICE supports the development of business models, stakeholder engagement and the alignment of FLEXMCS innovations with the logistics ecosystem to accelerate the transition to zero emission freight transport.

In particular, ALICE will the set-up of an extended Stakeholder Group, which will be involved in the setting of requirements and needs. Moreover, ALICE will enlarge its stakeholder reach towards TSOs/DSOs and CPOs that are key enablers for the transformation of road freight transport towards electrification.

The FLEXMCS project aligns with ALICE’s vision of achieving an affordable transition towards zero emission logistics. The project will directly support the transport and logistics ecosystem by addressing the interdependencies between energy, infrastructure, vehicles, and logistics operations. The development of megawatt charging technologies is essential to overcome barriers to the deployment of electric trucks and to achieve Europe’s sustainability goals.

Website: https://www.etp-logistics.eu/

GRUBER Logistics

Gruber Logistics, a family-owned company since 1936, operates over 60 branches in 14 countries, providing efficient and sustainable logistics solutions. Sustainability is at the core of Gruber Logistics business, guiding our social, environmental, and ethical commitments. We invest in research to promote zero-emission transport, focusing on battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles and recently the company opened two truck charging station in Germany a spart of its decarbonization strategy. At the same time, we embrace digitalization by integrating autonomous driving, automating intermodal processes, and developing digital platforms. Our focus on innovation helps us improve operations while meeting our responsibilities in governance and social impact.

Role in FLEXMCS

Gruber Logistics represent the logistics industry with the aim to contribute to the definition of the new logistics models for a competitive shift towards zero emission vehicles as well as Gruber Logistics will support the development of the necessary tolls for fleet management and truck charging optimisation testing the end solution in real-life missions.

Website: https://www.gruber-logistics.com/en/

HITACHI ENERGY

We have one of the most diverse semiconductor portfolios that includes thyristors, diodes, GTOs, IGCTs, IGBTs and RoadPakTM modules, which are manufactured at our facilities in Lenzburg, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic. We have one of the most diverse semiconductor portfolios that includes thyristors, diodes, GTOs, IGCTs, MOSFETs and IGBTs, which are manufactured at our facilities in Lenzburg, Switzerland and Prague, Czech Republic. Our research team continues pushing the boundaries of what is possible, using silicon and silicon carbide (SiC) technology to innovate the next generation of power electronics devices. Our advanced semiconductor technology brings unprecedented control to HVDC transmission systems. We are the heart of traction converters for high speed trains, metros and diesel-electric locomotives. Pumps, fans, roller tables, hoist and winches found throughout industry rely on us, and the world is able to enjoy greener mobility because we power the next generation of e-vehicles.

Role in FLEXMCS

Global mobility is constantly increasing. Electrification in various elements of this global mobility will allow us to make this increase in mobility sustainable. As Hitachi Energy, we are therefore involved in FlexMCS to sustainably improve the global and mobile world.

Website: https://www.hitachienergy.com/products-and-solutions/semiconductors