Alpiq provides storage solutions based on EV batteries

The Swiss electricity producer and energy services provider Alpiq and Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, a manufacturer of automotive energy storage systems that is wholly owned by Daimler AG, have concluded a delivery agreement addressing the stationary use of electric car batteries.

To achieve their objective of using resources sustainably and increasing the economic efficiency of electric mobility, Alpiq and Mercedes-Benz Energy are teaming up to make batteries available for industrial use.

Alpiq provides automotive based battery storage systems to exploit the full potential of vehicle batteries for storage applications. As a battery manufacturer that focuses on the entire life cycle, Mercedes-Benz Energy supplies a storage system based on batteries from electric vehicles. The large-scale storage system unit has an output of 1.5 MW and a gross capacity of 1.4 MWh. Upscaling is possible.

In its role of general contractor, Alpiq will supply the energy management system and is responsible for the planning, installation and sales. In addition, Alpiq will configure the software and adapt the individual services to the customers' specific requirements and applications.

In the form of an interconnected storage system, such batteries can make a significant contribution towards increasing energy efficiency and reducing the peak loads of industrial companies as well as enhancing grid stability and the integration of renewable energies. With this holistic approach towards e-mobility, Alpiq and Mercedes-Benz Energy are driving forward the responsible utilisation of the valuable resources contained in electric vehicles.

Alpiq already offers large stationary battery storage systems and controls them using artificial intelligence to ensure optimum operation and cost-effectiveness. Since April 2019, for example, Alpiq has been operating a 1.2 megawatt battery storage facility for the Maienfeld power utility. This system reduces costly load peaks in the energy provider's supply area and supplies secondary control power for the ancillary services market.