Duke Energy + Electrada, Fleet Mobility Microgrid

Burns contributed design expertise to support the first-of-its-kind EV fleet performance center, the Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid.

Duke Energy is collaborating with charging-as-a-service provider Electrada to offer a zero-emission electrification center for commercial and public electric fleets at the utility’s Mount Holly, North Carolina technology innovation center.

Designed to accommodate light-, medium- and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles, the center is the country’s first fleet charging depot capable of sourcing power either from the grid or from a renewable energy microgrid. The microgrid’s distributed energy resources include six charging stations, solar photovoltaics (PV), and a battery energy storage system (BESS).

Daimler Truck North America and Salem Carriers are among the center’s intended users. Duke Energy plans to monitor the center’s operations to study charging infrastructure performance, energy management practices, and technology integration capabilities. Adjacent to the center, Daimler uses its Class-8 Freightliner® eCascadia® battery-electric truck for logistics operations. The center will provide Daimler with opportunities to test the eCascadia’s charging performance.

Burns supported Electrada with infrastructure system design and integration, accommodating Duke Energy’s EV charging standards and the operating requirements of Daimler’s medium-to-large electric truck models. Scope included electrical and civil design services.

Electrada provided capital for all “behind the meter” infrastructure, leading the project’s financing, design and construction. Moving forward, Electrada will maintain ownership of the center’s charging infrastructure.

Duke commissioned the center in November 2024.