Mercedes Orders CMBlu Power Move Battery For Its Plant In Rastatt, Germany

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Mercedes-Benz AG just lately ordered a CMBlu 11 MWh Natural Solidflow battery for its Rastatt, Germany plant. The battery makes use of recyclable supplies and non-flammable aqueous electrolytes. It is going to be used to retailer electrical energy generated by the plant’s personal PV photo voltaic panels. The Rastatt plant has roughly 6,100 workers and produces a lot of totally different Mercedes fashions, together with electrical automobiles.

CMBlu Power was based in Germany in 2014 and has over 190 workers. 

The President of CMBlu Power Inc, (CMBlu Power AG’s U.S. Subsidiary), Giovanni Damato, answered some questions in regards to the CMBlu Natural Solidflow battery for CleanTechnica.

What’s the battery’s vitality storage capability?

It’s 11 MWh. The Mercedes announcement is a 2.16 MW/10.8 MWh system (5-hour lengthy period). 

When will it’s put in on the Rastatt, Germany, plant and what’s going to it’s used for? 

Mercedes-Benz Group AG’s first Natural SolidFlow battery venture can be realized within the second half of 2025 on the Rastatt web site. The battery utilized in Rastatt will be capable to retailer and launch roughly 11 MWh of inexperienced electrical energy, e.g. generated by the plant’s personal PV methods, over a interval of a number of hours. That is the battery vitality equal of greater than 150 totally electrical EQA fashions which might be being produced on the Rastatt plant. 

What’s the battery’s price and size of guarantee? 

At 4 hour period, CMBlu’s value is aggressive with typical li-ion installations. At 5 hour and longer durations, CMBlu’s costs are more and more inexpensive than typical li-ion installations. 10 yr guarantee; long-term service agreements obtainable for higher than 5 years.  

What are some benefits of utilizing your circulate batteries?

CMBlu Power’s SolidFlow know-how mixes the advantages of circulate and solid-state battery applied sciences in a novel, first-of-its-kind method to be commercialized. 

The know-how makes use of natural (carbon-based), non-metal vitality storage supplies, which might be available everywhere in the world. 

The design doesn’t incorporate uncommon substances or battle vital minerals and all battery elements are reusable or recyclable. 

Much like different circulate batteries, the Natural SolidFlow battery makes use of pumps to maneuver liquid electrolytes from tanks to an electrode stack the place protons cross via a membrane and a voltage is induced with the corresponding capability to do work. 

The Natural SolidFlow battery makes use of an aqueous, water-based system and presents no hearth, explosive, or spill-related environmental hazards. Additionally, like different circulate battery methods, the facility and vitality of CMBlu’s system scale independently primarily based on the variety of electrode stacks, in addition to the tank sizing and electrolyte volumes.

Most non-lithium batteries are prohibitively giant whereas CMBlu’s Natural SolidFlow battery has a compact footprint that’s stackable, making it far simpler to scale as much as the GWh scale for quite a lot of totally different purposes. 

The system-inherent separation of the electrolyte and the precise vitality converter not solely avoids self-discharge, but additionally permits the unique efficiency to be restored by merely changing particular person elements as an alternative of the complete battery. 

Much like different solid-state applied sciences, the Natural SolidFlow answer shops a lot of the vitality within the strong, leading to enhanced vitality density. 

The usage of strong carbon-based vitality storage supplies within the tanks, along with using such supplies within the liquid electrolyte, is the important thing distinction between the Natural SolidFlow system and different circulate or solid-state-only battery methods. 

CMBlu’s manufacturing method of utilizing “off the shelf” tools aids within the modularity of the tech, serviceability, and clear provide chain (which importantly could be regionally sourced and produced) and might use present infrastructure for manufacturing.  

If maintained correctly, how lengthy is the battery’s lifespan? 

With correct upkeep, CMBlu’s system can run for 20 years or extra. CMBlu’s SolidFlow system’s cycle life is 20,000+ cycles, which usually just isn’t virtually reached in a 10-20 yr venture life with each day biking. Calendar life is the first driver for upkeep schedules throughout a 10-20 yr venture life (see guarantee response above).

Can your batteries be put in in teams, say, three or 4 close to each other? 

The batteries are put in in teams, or strings, of three to 4 modules, and the modular structure permits safely racked battery vitality storage system vegetation (picture instance beneath).

What does the routine upkeep appear like for one among your batteries? 

Generally, there’s minimal onsite upkeep, with the CMBlu system being operated remotely more often than not. Routine visible inspections and {hardware} diagnostics, together with enclosure / building-level HVAC system typical preventative upkeep, security system checks, and 10-20 yr pump upkeep cycles relying on cycle profiles. There’s a10yr shuttle electrolyte rejuvenation course of (See guarantee response above). 

What’s the course of for decommissioning one among your batteries when its use life is over? 

CMBlu Power will recycle, reuse, or repurpose the Natural SolidFlow battery system. The liquid electrolyte can be pumped into IBCs after which transported to a CMBlu facility the place will probably be analyzed. Utilizing these outcomes, the electrolyte could be handled and regenerated or be reused as is. The remainder of the vitality storage system is sorted in response to supplies the place the principle elements are fabricated from plastics. These plastics can be shredded and changed into granulate for use once more. The digital elements can be recycled.