Image: Electrify AmericaThe installation forms part of Electrify America’s strategy to deploy larger charging sites with 20 or more charging points to increase network capacity and reduce waiting times. The Santa Barbara location is the company’s second site in the city. It also joins Electrify America’s other large-format California charging hubs in Santa Monica, San Diego and San Francisco.A key feature of the new station is the integrated 1.9 MW battery energy storage system. Electrify America says the system stores electricity from the grid during periods of lower demand and when renewable energy generation is abundant. The stored energy can then be discharged during peak charging periods to support charging capacity, reduce grid impacts and increase the use of renewable electricity.According to Electrify America, it is the largest public battery storage deployment in its network to date.“This large-format station showcases the next evolution of charging infrastructure, combining high-power charging with integrated battery energy storage to deliver reliable capacity at scale,” said Rob Barrosa, President and CEO of Electrify America. “By incorporating advanced storage technology, we’re able to bring Hyper-Fast charging to locations that have traditionally been difficult to serve, while making it easy for customers to integrate charging into their daily routines in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara.”At launch, all 20 charging points are equipped with CCS connectors. Electrify America said that some chargers will be converted to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) later this summer as part of the company’s ongoing NACS pilot programme.electrifyamerica.com