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MOUNT HOLLY, N.C., Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy has commissioned its new Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid in Mount Holly, a first-of-its-kind electrification center for commercial and public electric fleet vehicles. The project is the first of its kind in the country to offer a zero-emission, carbon-free microgrid option for fleet charging.

The center serves a dual purpose as a model for utility-grade, reliable fleet electrification that can help businesses meet sustainability goals and as an active charging site for light-, medium- and heavy-duty electric fleet vehicles. Duke Energy and Electrada are prepared to support any commercial fleet's journey to fleet electrification by helping them design, deploy and manage a reliable and customized electric fleet depot solution, using any configuration or capacity option showcased at the Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid. Vehicles can either be connected to the Duke Energy grid, charging from the bulk electric system, or powered by 100% carbon-free resources through the microgrid located at the Duke Energy Emerging Technology Office on-site in Mount Holly.

"As companies with sustainability goals seek new ways to decarbonize their operations, vehicle fleets have increasingly become a top focus," said Harry Sideris, president of Duke Energy. "The Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid is open and ready to help with opportunities for cost savings, new charging options for zero-emission vehicles and strategic guidance."

Innovation on wheels

Electrada, an electric fuel solutions company, provides all required capital "behind the meter" on behalf of fleet owners. The company delivers reliable charging to fleet electric vehicles through a performance contract, eliminating the complexity and risk that fleets face in transitioning to this new source of fuel. The Electrada model provides secure and seamless conversion for fleets that helps ensure grid integrity, guarantees performance and reliability, and removes electric fleet charging price volatility. Electrada's investment on the depot side complements Duke Energy's focus on distribution system performance to support the predictable addition of electric load over time.

"While fleet electrification in Europe and Asia has taken hold, this critical mobility microgrid effort in partnership with Duke Energy will help address and solve those electrical and performance issues unique to North America that challenge commercial adoption today," said Kevin Kushman, CEO of Electrada. "This collaboration proves that electric mobility at scale is compatible with reliable and renewable grid service and will build trust in fleets who are ready to embrace the transition."

The Duke Energy + Electrada Fleet Mobility Microgrid includes six total fleet charging stations ranging from 120 to 300 kilowatts (kW) along with two Level 2 chargers. It is the first depot designed for medium- and heavy-duty trucking in the U.S. that can be charged from the grid or switched to 100% renewable energy generation when integrated with the Mount Holly microgrid, which includes solar, battery storage, hydrogen and other types of generation. The unique configuration also provides the opportunity for stakeholders to test and validate software, vehicle and microgrid interoperability to reinforce confident commercial fleet electrification, even in the most challenging or complex locations.

The site's functionality as an innovation hub allows Duke Energy to study charger use, performance, energy management and integration. Identifying EV charging technologies and how they may be used to power any type of fleet with vehicles ranging from Class 1 (pickups) to Class 8 (over-the-road haulers) is modeling for the industry a clear, integrated and cost-effective path to fleet electrification. Testing various models of charging scenarios enables energy load shaping, which can be used to ensure proper grid or microgrid distribution.

Daimler Truck North America LLC (DTNA), the leading manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks in North America, will join Duke Energy and Electrada as a founding participant in the fleet EV charging program at the Duke Energy Emerging Technology and Innovation Center. One of DTNA's largest East Coast manufacturing facilities is located directly adjacent to the center; this proximity creates an ideal opportunity to utilize the chargers at the site and demonstrate charging technologies to customers visiting the plant in the future.

"Our collaboration with Duke Energy and Electrada goes beyond infrastructure development – it's about creating a sustainable, scalable fleet electrification solution," said Jeff Allen, senior vice president of operations and specialty vehicles at DTNA. "By providing seamless, carbon-free charging, the Fleet Mobility Microgrid enables our inbound logistics partners to operate with minimal environmental impact. This is a critical step in decarbonizing our supply chain and ensuring that our electric vehicles continue to drive the future of sustainable transportation."

Fleet Electrification in the Fast Lane

Fleet electrification has the potential to have the largest environmental impact per mile driven on a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction basis per transportation use case, especially in medium- and heavy-duty trucking. EV adoption in the U.S. continues to grow, with the latest quarter representing a record high percentage of EV new car sales at approximately 9% nationally.

"We expect energy consumption to grow at an average annual rate of nearly 2% over the next 26 years, with approximately 35% of that growth coming from greater EV adoption. That means by 2050, energy use could be about 50% greater than what it is today," said Sideris. "A collaborative approach to renewable energy has the potential to significantly shape a more sustainable, cleaner energy system."

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.4 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious clean energy transition, keeping reliability, affordability and accessibility at the forefront as the company works toward net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including expanded energy storage, renewables, natural gas and nuclear.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Logan Stewart24-Hour: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery is putting its stamp on Mount Holly. The longtime Charlotte brewery held a groundbreaking for its planned facility there today.

It will be known as OMB Water Works at Mount Holly. The one-story, nearly 7,000-square-foot complex, complete with taproom and brau haus, is on Elm Avenue. The space will be open, light and bright. A half-acre biergarten — one of OMB's signature offerings — will overlook the Catawba River where Dutchman’s Creek joins.

"You'll have a beautiful view of the water. I think that setting will make it perfect," says OMB founder John Marrino.

Plans also call for an existing water tower to be moved to the site. It will be installed, lit and feature OMB's logo.

Permitting is close to being finalized. The goal is to open at the end of 2025.

OMB secured the land through an agreement with the city of Mount Holly. The city sought proposals to have a restaurant or brewery redevelop a 2.06-acre parcel. It is in walking distance to downtown as well as to the greenway. OMB was the winning bidder.

"We want to put (our locations ) in places where it's a short drive or walk from home," Marrino says.

As part of a deal with Mount Holly, OMB purchased the roughly 2-acre parcel at 725 Elm St. for $200,000. It has since demolished the former water-treatment plant on that site. It purchased another acre from Duke Energy for about $100,000.

Marrino says OMB will invest $4.4 million into the site per an agreement with the city. He declined to share estimated costs for the entire project. "It'll be more expensive than that," he added.

Edifice Construction is the general contractor. Redline Design is the architect. DPR was behind the site design, including landscape architecture and civil engineering.

The brewery also purchased another 6.4 acres in Mount Holly, with plans for future warehouse use. That cost $1.2 million.

That location marks the third for the brewery, following lower South End and Ballantyne.

“This is the strategy to be in the neighborhoods. Charlotte’s growing. It’s hard to travel back into the middle of the city at the end of the day,” says Jim Birch, chief operating officer.

OMB is also moving forward with plans for a Cornelius taproom, brau haus and biergarten. That project was announced in February 2017. OMB’s Cornelius project will coincide with Northwood Ravin's planned Greenway Gartens development that is on track to open in the second half of 2027.

"We're leaning in when everyone else is leaning out. I think that's the right strategy," Marrino says.

He notes he opened the original taproom in 2009, after the stock market crash. In 2012, at the bottom of the recession, he bought the lower South End facility,

Satellite locations will have a similar vibe to OMB’s flagship location in lower South End. OMB is know for its German-style beer. Its core brews rely on four main ingredients — water, malt, hops and yeast — tied to the traditional brewing methods, with a focus on quality and consistency. It is known for brews such as Copper Altbier, Captain Jack Pilsner, unFOURseen IPA and Hornets Nest Hefeweizen, and it has added a number of seasonal releases to its lineup.

OMB also hosts events such as Mecktoberfest and a Christmas Market with traditional Gluhwein — a spiced wine, 50 vendors and first pits.

Birch says the neighborhood strategy provides a chance to expose more people to its beers. In Ballantyne, the 14,000-square-foot taproom, brau haus and biergarten is an anchor at The Bowl at Ballantyne.

“Once you come into an OMB and you have a good time at the beer garden, we think that you're several times more likely to purchase a beer at your local bar or at the grocery store,” Birch says.

OMB is working to build its wholesale market, with an extensive focus on restaurants, bars, grocery and convenience stores for starters.

Marrino says wholesale business drives volume for the brewery. He anticipates OMB will brew approximately 20,000 barrels this year. It's seen demand of roughly 2,500 barrels in Ballantyne, less than six months after opening. That should more than double in 2025. Cornelius should provide another 1,500- to 2,000-barrel production boost.

He says the market will be difficult for craft brewers over the next five years. Inflation has crushed margins with the rising cost of labor and materials,

"You can only pass so much on to the customer," Marrino says. "The customer doesn't care about our price increases."

He expects breweries to close as lease renewals come about. Many will be at the mercy of their landlord — at the same time, they've made significant upgrades to their locations. That's why he's purchased his locations.

"You can't take that risk of not owning it forever," Marrino says.

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