These charging stations do more than just charge vehicles. They authenticate charging cards, record charging sessions, distribute available capacity and send data to back-office systems. With KPN IoT’s mobile connectivity, they stay connected without relying on local Wi-Fi or corporate networks.

Without connectivity, a charging station loses many of its smart capabilities. It cannot share real-time data, is more difficult to manage remotely, and is less responsive to changes and demands within the energy system.

From Charging Point to Connected Energy Asset

Alfen's charging stations can connect to a smart meter. This allows them to monitor available capacity and prevent overloads at homes, commercial buildings, and charging hubs. At larger locations, multiple charging stations share the available capacity. This ensures vehicles charge within the limits of the building or charging hub.

This intelligence is increasingly supported by central back-office systems. Through IoT connectivity, charging stations can receive remote signals, for example to increase charging speeds when solar generation is abundant or electricity prices are low. During periods of peak demand, the system can reduce the charging rate or temporarily pause charging. As a result, the charging station becomes a connected part of an energy system in which supply and demand are matched more intelligently.

According to Björn Janson, Product Manager Digital at Alfen, the real value lies in the way these charging stations work together. “Our charging stations operate in groups to stay within the limits of a grid connection or a predefined capacity threshold.” 

Always Connected, Without Relying on Wi-Fi

For Alfen, connectivity is a prerequisite for smart charging. Relying on local Wi-Fi comes with risks. Passwords change, routers fail, and corporate networks are reconfigured. As a result, a charging station can go offline even though the charger itself continues to operate normally.

With a KPN IoT SIM card, the charger has its own mobile connection. This allows the charging station to continue sending data and receiving configuration changes. It can also be monitored, reset, and updated remotely. “With a SIM card, you’re guaranteed connectivity,” says Janson. “If a company changes something in its network and the chargers go offline, you immediately have a problem.”

Alfen has been working with SIM-based connectivity for some time. Customers could supply their own SIM cards, which Alfen installed in the charging stations during production. Now, the company is taking the next step. Alfen is increasingly supplying fully connected chargers, with connectivity included as a service.

Ready for the Growth of Electric Mobility

Alfen is expanding across Europe and aims to strengthen its position further. To support that growth, the company needs a connectivity partner that can support its international ambitions. KPN IoT provides the mobile connectivity and supports Alfen with expertise in IoT, connectivity management, and scalability.

The partnership itself also plays an important role. “The no-nonsense mentality, the smooth communication, and the knowledge KPN shares with us are very valuable to us,” says Janson. This collaboration helps Alfen manage its charging stations more intelligently and develop new services. An example is proactive service, where disruptions can be identified more quickly and resolved remotely.

Connected charging stations are also becoming increasingly important in addressing grid congestion. They can respond to signals about available grid capacity, solar generation, and dynamic energy prices. In addition, Alfen’s latest generation of chargers is hardware-ready to feed energy back into the grid. This will enable electric vehicles to play a more active role in balancing the electricity grid in the future.

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