Launching into the home market
The deliveries follow on from system development and initial production last year, and a number of large-scale industrial projects for primary balancing power. The units are being sold through a nationwide network of sales partners and partner companies.
‘There is tremendous interest in our energy storage units, and we have already received numerous orders,’ says Harald Kröger, Head of Development for Electrics/Electronics and E-Drive Mercedes-Benz Cars. ‘Over the coming months, we will continue to step up and expand sales both in Germany and on the international market.’
Distribution network for home energy storage units
The lithium-ion batteries are being manufactured by Deutsche ACCUmotive, and distributed through selected sales partners and partner companies. The company’s partners include the energy service provider Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW), solar technology specialist SMA, as well as a number of wholesale traders.
Their networks of qualified specialist installers will take care of providing end customers with onsite advice, planning, compiling an individual quotation for all components, and the actual installation.
Stationary battery storage units are generally installed together with a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Some 500 installers throughout Germany have already undergone training in collaboration with the partners.
Adapted from automotive systems
The Mercedes-Benz energy storage units were originally developed for the rigorous demands of automotive operation, so they meet the highest safety and quality standards.
Up to eight battery modules, each with an energy capacity of 2.5 kWh, can be combined to produce an energy storage unit with a capacity of up to 20 kWh. Households with their own PV systems can therefore buffer surplus solar power with virtually no losses.
Creating a private energy revolution
By combining renewable energy sources with a local battery storage unit, private households can increase their self-consumption of generated energy to as much as 65%, bringing about their own ‘private energy revolution’.
The retail price for home electricity generation is calculated based on a customised package of system components. These may comprise the PV system, battery inverter, energy management and the Mercedes-Benz energy storage unit, plus the cost of installation.
‘We can count on the support of expert partners for our sales of the Mercedes-Benz energy storage units,’ says Harald Kröger. ‘The ideal contact for the end customer is their local electrical specialist. We are convinced we can offer our customers an attractive product at a competitive price.’
Customers can alternatively place their order directly with Mercedes-Benz.
Daimler expands into battery storage business
Daimler entered the stationary battery storage business in 2015 with its subsidiary Deutsche ACCUmotive, and has continued to expand its activities in this growth segment.
The concept devised by Daimler Business Innovation provides for a variety of applications. The systems are scalable, meaning that the lithium-ion battery units can be employed both in large-scale industry and in private homes.
Industrial projects under way
Three major projects centred on industrial energy storage solutions are already under development. The storage units serve to balance energy fluctuations in the German national grid.
Eventually, battery modules with a total capacity of over 29 MWh will be connected to the grid as part of this, and marketed on Germany’s primary energy market together with specialist partners. Further projects are already planned.