Akkustation Solves the Charging Problem and Charges for Free
Product ideas often come to mind when the need is greatest. That’s what happened to Alexander Fend from Munich, who broke down on the Lake Constance Bike Path a few years ago with a dead e-bike battery. No charger was in sight, and the entrepreneur’s son realised there was no public charging infrastructure for e-bikes in the area. Since December 2021, no one has been left stranded on the Lake Constance Cycle Route. Alexander Fend founded the company Fend Solar, opened a self-sufficient, solar-powered charging station for e-bikes in Meersburg, and thereby solved the problem for many cyclists.
Free Charging for Golfers
Fend is now applying this system to golf. He recently began offering e-trolley and micromobility charging stations for golf clubs to be installed outside all buildings: They feature modular locker and charging systems for trolley batteries, e-bikes, or smartphones. The offerings range from compact entry-level models—for about four trolleys—to large-scale systems that can be scaled to individual needs. “Even 20 or 40 trolleys are no problem,” explains Fend, who has the charging stations manufactured according to the specific needs of each golf course. “Theoretically, there’s no upper limit; it depends on how much space is available at the golf course.”
In this way, Fend solves two problems: First, the constant risk of a building fire caused by batteries catching fire. This has become a recurring problem at golf courses and a major concern for the insurance industry. Second, golfers can charge their trolleys for free on-site—whether the entire trolley or just the battery, which they can lock away in one of the station’s smaller boxes.
Loading time
The charging speed is determined by the original charger provided by the trolley manufacturer. Depending on the battery and manufacturer, a full charge takes about 3 to 5 hours—as with Motocaddy, for example. According to Fend, up to 30 % of the battery can be recharged during an approximately 1-hour break in the clubhouse. Depending on the size, the charging station has a capacity ranging from at least 10.2 kWh up to 50 kWh. The golf club can also use any surplus electricity for its own equipment, such as carts. The charging station’s modular system allows for considerable flexibility in the layout of the switches and charging stations.
Production and Maintenance
Regional manufacturing is important to Fend. The stations are produced in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg in cooperation with regional craft businesses and specialized manufacturers. The frames are made of V2A or V4A stainless steel, combined with weather-resistant WPC hollow profiles that are guaranteed to last “at least 20 years.” With an empty weight of over 1.35 metric tons, the systems offer certified wind and snow load stability. A concrete foundation is just as unnecessary as expensive excavation work for cable installation, because all the technical components are housed in a single module that routes the solar power from the panels to the outlets.
Price and Maintenance
The elegantly designed, high-quality stations come at a price: A standard three-module system costs around 35,000 euros. The more modules used, the higher the cost. “In Meersburg, we sold the advertising space in no time,” Fend recalls of the first model’s successful marketing. After all, all modules and stainless steel surfaces can be used for high-quality advertising. For the golf club, this means that the sponsorship space helps finance the purchase. “The golf club can either market the advertising space itself, or we can do it for them,” says Fend, explaining his all-inclusive package, in which the manufacturer handles not only sponsor marketing but also cleaning and maintenance.
Best-Practice Models
In Germany, people will soon be able to gain their first hands-on experience with sustainable battery charging stations. Both Golf Valley and the Bergkramerhof Golf Course will be using the solar stations from Alexander Fend GmbH. Electricity is produced on-site, used right there, and—on top of that—the fire hazard issue has been resolved; Alexander Fend is eager to see the reactions of customers in the golfing community. What began as a mishap during an e-bike ride has since grown into a thriving business.
The Bundesliga soccer club Karlsruher SC has even found a sponsor for a large-scale system consisting of three frames that can supply the bikes of many soccer fans with solar power. The “Energy Rebels” thought the concept for more environmentally friendly mobility was great. It’s quite possible that others in the golf world will follow suit.
For more information about the charging stations, visit info@alexander-fend.de
