Mercedes-Benz Group, GETEC ENERGIE and The Mobility House extend the lifecycle of their stationary energy storage systems made from vehicle batteries by another five years. The storage systems in Lünen and Elverlingsen, which have existed since 2016 and 2018 respectively, have once again been prequalified for providing primary control reserve (PCR) – the fastest and most critical grid service in the power system. Over 2,000 repurposed battery modules from the storage systems developed and supplied by Mercedes-Benz Energy will thus continue to be available with 29 MW of power and 31 MWh of energy to stabilize the power grid and achieve independence from fossil power plants.
In the context of the examination of stationary battery storage systems by transmission system operators, demanding criteria must be met to continue operating in the primary control reserve (PCR) market. These include, in particular, sufficient storage capacity as well as stable and rapid power adjustment. Despite already being in use for five years in stationary storage and prior partial usage in electric vehicles, the batteries have passed this demanding qualification again. The very stable storage capacity confirmed in this process is proof of the low aging of electric vehicle batteries with “proper” management. This is ensured by the intelligent trading and operating algorithms of The Mobility House. The professional technical concept of Mercedes-Benz Energy also forms the basis for long-term reuse. The company develops and markets complete stationary storage solutions that are used in industrial areas as well as grid-supportive solutions.
When a battery reaches the end of its service life in a vehicle, it typically still retains about 70 to 80 percent of its original capacity. This substantial energy reserve offers the possibility for an extended second life in a stationary battery storage system. Additionally, first-life battery modules can be kept “fit” in stationary applications before being installed in vehicles. This is only possible with innovative algorithms and state-of-the-art software, which The Mobility House has been developing and continuously refining specifically for the commercialization of electric vehicle batteries since 2015. Recently, the technology company has also begun trading stationary storage systems for third parties in the European regulation and energy markets, including a prequalification service.
The use of the flexibility inherent in the charging and discharging of electric vehicle batteries is a crucial component on the path to a renewable energy system. Electric vehicle batteries can thus replace fossil power plants and compensate for the fluctuating generation from solar and wind. Because batteries react very quickly – faster than, for example, gas power plants – they make a particularly valuable contribution to stable grid frequency and power grid quality.
“We are pleased that our storage systems have been requalified. This confirms that our algorithms and trading strategies not only bring high revenues but also make the best possible use of batteries with minimal aging. With our partners in the automotive industry, we have thereby made significant progress. We are now offering our expertise to owners of large-scale and industrial storage systems as well – and soon, we will also be commercially implementing this as Vehicle-to-Grid technology for the benefit of our customers.”, says Marcus Fendt, Managing Director at The Mobility House.