Boskalis TwinSet Charger

 After just one month at KvT, I was made responsible for delivering a mobile, off-grid biogas charging solution for electric vehicles and equipment. The set consists of two 150kVA/120kWe engines (13-litre Scania, straight-six) that work together in power management to feed an EV charging point.

Colleagues supported parts of the electrical work, gas train and software. I handled the mechanical design entirely myself, taking weight, vibration, heat and noise into account. I ordered the components and corrected suppliers along the way — particularly during the construction and modification of the 30ft container, the fully custom mounting frames for the engines and charging point, and the custom stainless-steel exhaust system, which also proved to be quite a challenge in its own right. I kept a close, assertive but professional eye on deadlines and on holding suppliers to theirs. I also supervised the technicians (electrical, mechanical), managed budgets, and independently resolved issues that came up during the build.

I tested and commissioned the finished machine, among other things by charging around fifteen colleagues' cars and one of Boskalis's electric trucks. Throughout the process I kept the client informed and hosted them on site several times. Finally, I commissioned the machine at the customer site and, afterwards, independently supported it several times when faults occurred — including on the charging point itself, which falls outside my own discipline.

This is my most significant project and the one I'm proudest of: built entirely “from scratch” in about six months, with a total project value of roughly €500,000. On this project I acted as lead designer, but also as commissioning engineer and project manager.