Distributed vs. Integrated DC Fast Chargers: What’s the Difference?
An integrated DC fast charger houses the power electronics and the charging connector in one larger cabinet, while a distributed charging system separates them: a central power unit holds the electronics and feeds one or more slim charging dispensers placed wherever vehicles park. Both designs deliver DC fast charging. The difference is how a site grows, how much space it uses, and how power is shared.
How the two designs work
- Integrated: Each cabinet contains its own power modules and one or two connectors. It is a self-contained charging point. The Kempower Station Charger is built this way, with 50 to 400 kW per cabinet and one or two DC connectors.
- Distributed: The power electronics sit in one place in a centralized Power Unit and the dispensers sit at the parking spaces. In the Kempower system, the Kempower Power Unit holds the power modules and our customer can choose the connected charging dispensers to their liking that are located somewhere where the users are actually charging.
What the Kempower distributed system delivers
- Shared power: A Power Unit delivers up to 600 kW, or up to 1.2 MW in larger configurations, and shares it across the connected charging dispensers in 25 kW increments – the lowest in the market. Power gets routed to the dispensers based on the vehicles’ needs.
- A small footprint: Kempower charging dispensers are among the smallest in the market, ensuring they fit into space constrained areas.
- Flexible placement: Kempower charging dispensers can be placed up to 80 meters from the Power Unit, so the larger cabinet can sit away from the charging bays.
- Easy growth: Capacity grows by adding 50 kW power modules and cabinets, and new dispensers such as the Mega Satellite Flex connect to existing Kempower distributed systems.
FAQ
What is the difference between a distributed and an integrated EV charger? An integrated charger keeps the power electronics and connector in one cabinet. A distributed charger, such as the Kempower Power Unit and Satellite system, places the electronics in a central unit that feeds slim dispensers at the parking spaces.
Why would a site choose a distributed charging system? Distributed systems share power across many outlets, use less space at each parking spot, and grow by adding modules rather than whole chargers, which suits depots, truck hubs, and larger public sites.
Does Kempower offer both types? Yes. The Kempower Station Charger is an integrated charger, and the Kempower Power Unit with Satellites is a distributed system.