In the Netherlands, e-bike batteries start fires twice a week and last year as many as 4,500 e-bike batteries were stolen. In addition, for many employees it is a hassle to bring your own charger and batteries get damaged when charging outside above 30 or below 0 degrees. For Jorg and his fellow students, reason enough to develop the ChargeHyve, an e-bike battery charging locker for companies that allows employees to charge their e-bike battery in a separate and fully enclosed compartment with built-in charger, fire- and theft-proof. The lockers are made of fire-resistant materials and equipped with advanced sensors for early fire detection. The ChargeHyve is equipped with chargers for the most common brands and the right charger can be selected via a screen. The locker is locked and can only be opened by the person who inserted the battery.

Jorg: ‘We have been developing the ChargeHyve since 2019, but a prototype is still something very different from a product that can be brought to market. Thijs' message via LinkedIn therefore came at just the right time. I myself liked the fact that the day before at the Campus Café I could get to know Thijs and his colleagues in an informal way, but also the other companies at Technology Base. During the Campus Café, the seed was planted to cooperate not only with Dynteq, but also with the Twente Safety Campus."

From idea on paper to functioning and workable product

"During the process, we found out that some things had to be done differently, and the great advantage of Dynteq is that they switch quickly, are very flexible and also think along with us about which suppliers would suit us best. They also think along with us about how, what and when we can best present to bring in investments. They provide a good combination of beautifully designed and well-functioning and workable. That makes them much more than just a design agency. For instance, our design was initially one cabinet with all the hexagon pattern, but that eventually became separate compartments that can be placed next to and on top of each other. This makes it not only modular and scalable, but also maintenance- and user-friendly: if a module is damaged or broken, only this one needs to be repaired or replaced and the other compartments can remain on site." 

Transforming concepts into market-ready products

At Dynteq, their passion to support start-ups and drive innovation is deep-rooted. The recent collaboration with start-up ChargeHyve illustrates their drive to transform concepts into market-ready products and make ideas tangible.
 
Thijs Nijhof, business developer at Dynteq: ‘We place great value on recognising and supporting promising start-ups like ChargeHyve. One of the most valuable aspects of working with ChargeHyve, is the inspiration that comes from interacting with the young entrepreneurs themselves. The students have brought with them a fresh, sustainable and circular approach to innovation. This in turn has inspired us to rethink our ‘status quo’. Students' enthusiasm and determination are contagious and motivate us to continuously improve our services and contribute to a more sustainable and innovative future. The collaboration with ChargeHyve has led to the development of an excellent product and helped rethink our approach to circular and fire-safe designs."

Early fire safety testing

Jorg: ‘We developed the charging station directly for use inside offices. This means we have to meet much more stringent requirements. Through Dynteq, we got back in touch with the Twente Safety Campus and Twente Fire Department and jointly designed the heat tests. We were able to carry out these tests at an early stage of development at the fire training ground located at Technology Base. The most important thing for fire safety is creating time when things go wrong. Each compartment is fitted with temperature and smoke detection devices that trigger an alarm and also cut off power immediately. We turned up the heat inside to 1,300 degrees. After an hour, the inside walls were 850 degrees, but the outside wall less than 70 degrees and the firefighter could still just touch the outside without gloves on. This means that in the event of a fire in one of the compartments, there is still over an hour to get the entire system to a safe place outside with a pallet truck. 

Pilot at Demcon

"At the beginning of this month, we placed our first pilot at Demcon. Despite the fact that a pilot suggests otherwise, we installed a fully functioning and sleek-looking charging station here. Thanks to the heat tests carried out and the footage of these, we were also able to take out liability insurance through Rabobank. Normally all kinds of certificates have to be granted for this, so it is very nice that even a pilot with insured risk can be placed for both parties and we only have to do the expensive certification when the product actually goes into production after the pilot phase."

Bianca Screever, director of operations Demcon: ‘At Demcon, we strive to create a safe and pleasant working environment for our employees, focusing on vitality, among other things. Exercise contributes to better health, improves fitness and promotes well-being. Therefore, we encourage our colleagues to come to work by (electric) bike. With the ChargeHyve, a safe place for charging and storing batteries, we make it easier for our employees to choose the e-bike. In this way, we are taking another step towards a healthier lifestyle and a more sustainable future." Future dreamsJorg: ‘We have international ambitions with ChargeHyve and what could be nicer if in 2030 I could fly electric from Twente Airport to Paris to sell the charging boxes there?In addition, there is still a lot to develop when it comes to safely charging and storing electrical equipment and batteries, so this is where we can make a big difference with our knowledge and expertise gained.I find Technology Base and all the developments taking place here behind the fences such an inspiring environment, that I hope I will be able to work together with Dynteq and the other established companies on sustainable, environmentally friendly, safe and circular products here many more times."