Electromobility is one of the main phenomena in the transformation of economies towards a more sustainable future. Car manufacturers, governments and industrial companies are investing in new technologies with the main goal of ensuring a lower carbon footprint of transport and greater energy efficiency. However, the issue is much more complex.
PPA CONTROLL plays a significant role in this context as a technology integrator with more than 70 years of tradition, thanks to which the company has developed a wide range of expertise and know-how. Currently, we can cover complex technological units and deliver tailor-made solutions - whether it is participation in the construction of battery factories or the development of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in Slovakia.
The promotion of electromobility hides a whole network of connections full of benefits, but also challenges requiring technological sophistication and comprehensive solutions. The current trend does not only concern the production of electric vehicles themselves - it is a complex ecosystem that requires the connection of expertise from various fields: from automation and electrical installations to energy and intelligent control systems.
Many European countries are actively developing electromobility today. Norway is at the forefront, having become the world leader in the share of electric cars in traffic, thanks in part to a well-thought-out support policy and excellent charging infrastructure. However, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France have also made strong progress. Electromobility is thus becoming a strategic priority not only in the European Union, but also in the USA and China, which together set the pace of global development in this sector.
Although the demand for electromobility is constantly increasing in Slovakia, the growing demands on the charging infrastructure, as well as on the stability and capacity of the distribution system, show that we are not yet fully prepared for such a transformation. Our transmission system will face significant technological and investment challenges in the coming years, which will require complex solutions. It is in this area that the PPA CONTROLL group with its specialized subsidiaries can also bring its expertise across several fields.
PPA CONTROLL and production of batteries for electric vehicles in Hungary
Batteries are a key part of electric vehicles and their life cycle. One of the projects of PPA ENERGO, part of the PPA CONTROLL group, is participation in the construction of the Samsung plant for the production of batteries for large automotive companies in Göd, Hungary, which is one of the largest in Europe. Originally a TV factory, the plant was transformed in 2016 and is now ten times larger.
"We have already cooperated with Samsung SDI in the past at their plant in Galanta, and since they were satisfied with our work, we applied for further cooperation in Hungary," confirms Jaroslav Holub, project manager of PPA ENERGO.
This plant, which will produce around 50 batteries for electric vehicles annually, is also key in the development of employment and infrastructure in the region and hundreds of experts are involved in its construction. PPA ENERGO provides comprehensive electrical installation work - installation of cable routes, installation of standard and emergency lighting, lightning rods and grounding. The delivery also includes high-voltage encapsulated distribution systems of the type busbar and hundreds of our own manufactured low-voltage switchgear from our operations in Bratislava.
“Our task is not only delivery and installation, but also commissioning of the systems – from powering the production lines to ensuring lighting and security systems,” adds Jaroslav Holub. All technologies must be precisely synchronized and prepared for flawless operation even before production starts.
Plant in Nyiregyháza
In addition to the construction of the plant in Göd, we are also participating in the implementation of a factory for the production of insulating foils for electric vehicle batteries in Nyíregyház in eastern Hungary. The plant of the Korean company W-Scope, which was established on a greenfield site in a newly built industrial park. It should produce components for more than 500 electric vehicles per year and provide jobs for approximately 000 employees. This is an investment of approximately 1 million euros.
"We have been participating in the project in Nyíregyháza since 2022 and play a key role here, especially in ensuring complete electrical installation - from the transformer station to the production line. In addition to other extensive work, we also supply measurement and regulation equipment. These are the ones that allow technological processes in production to run safely and under control. The plant works with materials that require compliance with strict safety measures," explains Tomáš Hörigh, project manager at PPA ENERGO.
Electromobility as a challenge and an opportunity: Slovakia versus the world
The ability to deliver high-quality solutions on time and according to the client's strict requirements makes us a trustworthy partner not only internationally in Hungarian factories, but also at home in Slovakia. In the field of electromobility, our subsidiary PPA POWER DS, sro, also belonging to the PPA CONTROLL group, ensures the supply of various types of charging stations for industrial parks or shopping centers. These solutions with intelligent charging management bring savings on electricity costs and at the same time guarantee maximum operational safety.
While many countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom have made significant progress in the field of electromobility – from well-thought-out subsidy schemes to a robust charging infrastructure, Slovakia is still catching up. Despite the growing demand for electric vehicles, the Slovak distribution and transmission system often remains a limiting factor. Stable connection points are lacking and the network itself is not designed for the significant increase in demand that electromobility requires.
One of the biggest technical challenges is to build a high-quality and sufficient charging infrastructure to cover the growing number of electric vehicles on the road. In addition, electromobility requires comprehensive solutions for energy management, performance optimization and transmission system stability. On an economic level, although the initial investment in electric vehicles and infrastructure may be higher, the long-term costs of operation, maintenance and energy consumption are much lower compared to traditional vehicles.
"From a technical point of view, the renewal and reconstruction of existing power stations is the absolute basis for the development of electromobility in Slovakia. This is mainly about increasing their transmission capacity so that they are able to handle new demands, and this is the work of the subsidiaries PPA T&D and LiV ELEKTRA, also belonging to the PPA CONTROLL group," explains Michal Vargončík, sales director of PPA POWER DS.
"In addition, it is crucial to stabilize the network - especially at points where there will be a high concentration of charging points. If several electric cars appear in one place at once, the network must be prepared to absorb these surges without fluctuations. Otherwise, the system may be destabilized, which must then be compensated for by the entire system - and therefore ultimately by all consumers," he adds.
Every fluctuation affects the quality of the electricity supply. Just as household appliances need a stable 50 Hz in the socket, the entire infrastructure must remain in balance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify critical points now and design technical solutions that will ensure stability even as electromobility increases.
Added value of PPA CONTROLL: Comprehensive approach to electromobility
The PPA CONTROLL Group has implemented several key projects focused on electromobility. In addition to the above, significant ones include the construction and management of charging stations in the Senec industrial park, where electric vehicles are used to reduce emissions in industrial areas. We also focus on a comprehensive infrastructure that includes not only charging stations, but also systems for managing and optimizing energy consumption, ensuring the efficiency and stability of the entire ecosystem.
One of the key advantages that PPA CONTROLL brings to its clients is the ability to cover the entire chain – from the construction of charging stations to control systems to energy solutions. The PPA CONTROLL group boasts a team of experts from various fields such as automation, electrical engineering, energy and engineering. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that all solutions are fully integrated and optimized, allowing clients to achieve maximum efficiency and sustainability.
"The subsidiaries belonging to the PPA CONTROLL group are diverse and this is precisely what allows the group to provide comprehensive services not only in the case of the development of electromobility. For example, the subsidiary PPA ENERGO is actively involved in the construction of energy sources, including nuclear power plants, and also participates in supplies and services for companies that are part of the entire complicated supply chain for electric vehicle manufacturers. Similarly, another subsidiary PPA INŽINIERING is involved in the construction of smaller energy sources and the supply of technologies for energy and transport infrastructure. LIV ELEKTRA specializes in the construction of power stations and transformer stations. PPA T&D implements line constructions and we at PPA POWER DS implement the design and implementation of final technical solutions, including charging stations for electric vehicles. Our added value is that we can cover the entire chain - from large energy units to technologically sophisticated solutions for the end customer," explains Michal Vargončík from PPA POWER DS.
Our projects prove that Slovak know-how has a strong place in international competition. We are proud to be part of technological progress in the field of energy and electromobility and to contribute to solutions that make sense - for people, industry and the future.
