Plug + Play: A Solar-Powered EV Charging Station Shaped Like a Cooling Tower

<a href="http://www.designbymany.com/project/plug-play" target="_blank">Plug + Play by HMMY</a> is a proposal for an urban electric vehicle charging station that recently won the <a href="http://www.designbymany.com/node/624">DesignByMany competition</a>. Covered in a photovoltaic film, the charging station generates energy and stores it in a battery to power up electric vehicles. Decentralized stations are designed to be located next to popular areas like shopping, restaurants, gyms, and parks, so people can take care of other business or enjoy recreational activities while their vehicle is charging. Shaped like a power plant cooling tower, Plug + Play seeks to change the negative image of energy generation into a positive and sustainable one.

HMMY's <a href="http://www.designbymany.com/project/plug-play" target="_blank">Plug + Play</a> proposal for an electric vehicle charging station serves as an urban battery and renewable energy generating system.

Oriented so the maximum surface area is facing the south, the station is covered in a photovoltaic film and generates its own power.

Like a battery indicator, the station is lit up with LED light when it is fully charged, and dims down as it powers an electric car.

It's shape is inspired by the traditional form of cooling towers from power plants with the aim of changing the stigma associated with carbon fueled energy generation.

Extra power generated is returned to the grid or taken when there is not enough sun.

Cars pull into the lifted side, park and plug in for a 30 minute charge.

These stations are located throughout the city and take up just 2 full parking spots.

The goal would be to place the charging stations in visible areas in a variety of places to form a decentralized grid.

Users of the stations can park and power up while they take time to relax or play in a nearby park, watch tv on a screen inside, hop out to do shopping, grab something to eat or even get a workout in.

Plug + Play is modular, distributed generation that challenges the traditional centralized system currently in place and works to change the consciousness towards energy in our modern lives.