Overcoming Bedrock: Renua Energy Completes DC Fast Charging Installation at City Lofts
Renua Energy has successfully completed the installation of a new DC fast charging station at City Lofts, a luxury apartment community located in Cohoes, New York. Situated near the Mohawk River and conveniently accessible from New York Route 787, City Lofts now offers residents and visitors expanded access to high-speed electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
The project included the installation of one Lynkwell 320kW DC Power Tower and two dual-port DC Fast Charging dispensers, creating a powerful charging solution capable of supporting the growing number of electric vehicles traveling throughout New York’s Capital Region. The new infrastructure helps improve charging accessibility while supporting the continued transition toward cleaner transportation options.
Bringing Fast Charging to a Growing Community
As electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate across New York State, the need for reliable, conveniently located charging infrastructure has never been greater. Multifamily residential properties like City Lofts are increasingly recognizing the importance of providing charging solutions that meet the evolving needs of residents, guests, and the surrounding community.
The City Lofts installation represents another step forward in expanding the region’s charging network, ensuring EV drivers have access to dependable, high-speed charging where they live, work, and travel.
While the finished project delivers a seamless user experience, the path to completion was far more challenging than it may appear on the surface.
Unexpected Challenges Beneath the Surface
According to Renua Team Leader Rich Snowardt, the most significant challenge emerged shortly after excavation began.
Neither the property owner nor the equipment manufacturer had any indication that extensive rock formations existed just below the surface. What initially appeared to be a routine excavation quickly became one of the more demanding EV infrastructure projects Renua’s field crews have encountered.
To continue construction, the team was required to bring in a larger excavator equipped with a hydraulic rock breaker. Extensive trenching was needed throughout the site, including runs from the new utility pole to the transformer pad, from the transformer pad to the new switchgear, and finally from the switchgear to the Power Tower and charging dispensers.
For more than two weeks, crews worked methodically through layers of bedrock. The process involved repeatedly breaking through approximately three inches of rock at a time, removing the debris, and repeating the cycle until the required 36-inch trench depth was achieved.
The work was physically demanding and required patience, precision, and determination from everyone involved. Hydraulic hammer equipment generates constant vibration and places significant strain on operators during extended use, making it one of the more challenging aspects of heavy civil construction.
“I’ll be honest,” Rich said. “The hammering takes its toll. But once we were through that, most of the rest of the process was pretty straight-forward.”
Leadership and Experience in the Field
Rich brought more than thirty years of business ownership and field experience to the project. After successfully running his own company for three decades, he joined Renua Energy approximately three years ago with a focus on helping develop the next generation of energy infrastructure professionals.
His leadership proved invaluable throughout the City Lofts installation as crews adapted to unexpected site conditions and adjusted plans to keep the project moving forward safely and efficiently.
Projects like this highlight the importance of experienced field leadership, particularly when unforeseen challenges arise. Through careful planning, problem-solving, and teamwork, the crew was able to overcome obstacles and successfully deliver the installation.
Resilience in Action
For Renua Energy Founder and President Dave Byrne, the project exemplified one of the company’s foundational principles.
“I’m really proud of the resilience our team has demonstrated throughout this project,” Byrne said. “It’s one of our four core values on which I founded this company. Each of our teams faces challenges virtually every day. And I’m proud of their ability to take risks, make solid decisions, and progress each project as we work to accomplish each mission.”
The City Lofts project serves as a reminder that successful infrastructure construction often requires more than technical expertise alone. It demands adaptability, perseverance, and a commitment to finding solutions when unexpected conditions arise.
Those qualities continue to define Renua Energy’s approach to building critical energy infrastructure throughout New York and the Northeast.
Building the Infrastructure of Tomorrow
As electric vehicle adoption continues to grow, projects like City Lofts help expand charging accessibility throughout the Capital Region. They also showcase the skilled professionals working every day to build the infrastructure that powers the future.
