Energy in a box

The “Zero Carbon” Factory 56 at Mercedes-Benz demonstrates just how efficient carbon-neutral car manufacturing can be. It has reduced energy consumption by one-quarter compared with other assembly halls. Two energy storage systems by Mercedes-Benz Energy and Rittal play a pivotal role in this solution. The fixed energy store with an overall capacity of 1,400 kWh is supplied with green electricity from the in-house photovoltaic plant via a DC network. Second-life batteries provide temporary storage for surplus solar power for a further 10 years or so. The combination of a photovoltaic plant, DC network and battery storage system delivers up to 30% of the production line’s electricity demand with self-generated solar energy. The PV plant has 12,000 modules and generates around 5,000 MWh of electricity per annum which is either used directly, placed into temporary storage or fed back to the public grid. As the system supplier, Rittal delivered the key elements of this energy storage solution.