But before the award and final installation of the e-bike charging stations from Spelsberg, it was necessary to convince the decision-makers of the product advantages. As part of a public tender for the installation of bicycle charging stations, the company Oliver Ochsenfahrt Garten- und Landschaftsbau, Schalksmühle, was awarded the contract.
The company has maintained close and trusting cooperation with Günther Spelsberg GmbH + Co. KG for more than 25 years and is in constant dialogue with them about new products and innovations. As a logical consequence, managing director Oliver Ochsenfahrt also chose products from Spelsberg for this project:
"During our decades of cooperation, mutual trust and personal contact have grown steadily. After receiving the order, it quickly became clear to us that we should use the new BCS e-bike charging stations from Spelsberg at the Glörtalsperre."
Oliver Ochsenfahrt, managing director of Ochsenfahrt Garten- und Landschaftsbau
Located on the border between the Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis and the Märkischer Kreis, the Glörtalsperre extends across several communities and towns. While it originally ensured the supply of cooling and feed water for local industry and later served as an emergency reservoir for drinking water, today it is a year-round destination for leisure activities. The cooperation project GLÖR 365 between the regions with Freizeitschwerpunkt Glörtalsperre GmbH as project sponsor, recently sought to strengthen the touristic importance of the dam through a series of construction measures.
This included a redesign of the shore, upgrading of the recreation and activity area, further development of the lake trail and redesign of the access area. E-bike riders in particular benefit from the measures at the start and end of the circular route: Thanks to the newly installed BCS PURE e-bike charging stations from Spelsberg, they have the opportunity to charge their e-bike easily and safely there.
Though the BCS PURE deviated from the solutions originally intended in the tender, the products from Spelsberg proved to be advantageous and more economical. The technical details and functions of the BCS speak for themselves: They allow electric bike riders to leave their chargers at home. This is because the extremely robust BCS stations based on GEOS housings, are equipped in the standard configuration with original charging controllers, including those from Bosch and Shimano, and also with SCHUKO® sockets. By using the original components, users can count on maximum reliability and safety when charging. The integrated electronics monitor the system, detect overload and switch off defective charging points accordingly. In addition, they are equipped with other safety-related functions so that the charging process can always be carried out safely, regardless of environmental conditions and according to manufacturer specifications. Additional cable management makes handling the various connections easier. A mounted cable holder and an LED status display offer additional convenience. Furthermore, ambient conditions from -25 °C to +40 °C enable year-round use in protected outdoor areas.
The technical details and the prospect of being able to offer visitors several charging points at the access area of the dam with the help of Spelsberg solutions prompted the decision-makers to enter into a cooperation agreement in close coordination between the company Freizeitgelände Glörtalsperre GmbH and Spelsberg. Throughout the project, the manufacturer's agile BCS team provided support and advice, and with expert know-how with regard to customer-specific requirements. During a joint meeting on site, the Spelsberg employees were able to answer any questions about the functionality and technical implementation in advance.
In June 2020, the symbolic handing over of the key from Bernd Werkshagen, Head of Operating and Systems Engineering at Spelsberg, to Jörg Schönenberg, Mayor of the Schalksmühle municipality, heralded the final steps towards the completion of the modern charging points. For Mayor Schönenberg, they make a significant contribution to upgrading the area, including in an ecological sense: "The leisure value of the local recreation area Glörtalsperre is significant for the region. At the same time, environmental considerations are playing an increasingly important role in leisure activities. The e-bike charging stations at the car park in the immediate vicinity of the restaurant and the circular hiking trail are therefore an excellent addition to the existing offer."
Jungkurth GmbH from Altena was commissioned to integrate the two BCS charging stations and put them into operation. For Jungkurth employee Mr Marcel, connection was not complicated at all: "The entire process was quick and easy. The installation of a BCS is a satisfying task for any system electronics engineer, and can easily be mastered even without the existing terminal plan.
After completion of the extensive construction project, the Glörtalsperre now has a new look, and thanks to the modern BCS e-bike charging stations is a perfect excursion destination for e-bike riders. True to the motto "From the region, for the region", the project was carried out in close, partnership-based cooperation with all stakeholders. "The Spelsberg family business is of great importance for the economic strength of our community and is a major employer of many skilled workers from the region. So it's all the nicer to have the manufacturer's new products in use right here with us and to increase the attractiveness of the location with them," concludes Mayor Schönenberg.
"The e-bike charging stations at the car park in the immediate vicinity of the restaurant and the circular hiking trail are therefore an excellent addition to the existing offer."
Jörg Schönenberg, Mayor of Schalksmühle
