Lucas di Grassi has extended his lead in the Formula E Championship with a win at the Paris ePrix. Di Grassi led the entire race except for two laps when he swapped vehicles. The race finished under a yellow flag after Ma Qing Hua put his car into a wall. The event was sold out, with 20,000 people in attendance. “To see people all around the track cheering, on the inside of the track and the outside… it’s just amazing what was done here today and I hope we race here many more times and in more cities like Paris,” says di Grassi. “This is what Formula E is about.” Read more from Formula E.
Ford’s closed loop system recycles up to 20 million pounds of aluminum every month. That’s enough to build more than 30,000 Ford F-150 SuperCrews. When pieces are stamped, 30 to 40 percent of the aluminum is scrapped, which then gets recycled into fresh metal for more stamping. The process prevents 95 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions of primary aluminum production. Its aluminum construction also saves weight, which helps the F-150 save fuel and reduce emissions. Read more at Green Car Congress.
Daimler has begun deliveries of Mercedes-Benz stationary energy storage systems for homes. The lithium-ion battery packs are made by Daimler subsidiary Deutsche Accumotive, using technology borrowed from electric vehicles for use with home solar energy systems. Up to eight 2.5-kWh modules can be combined for a total of 20 kWh of storage. Read more in the press release below.
Daimler AG and its subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE are taking the next step forward in the stationary energy storage business. After embarking on the development and production of stationary storage systems last year and launching a number of large-scale industrial projects in the field of primary balancing power, home storage unit deliveries are now starting. The units are sold through a nationwide network of sales partners and partner companies in Germany. “There is tremendous interest in our energy storage units and we have already received numerous orders. Over the coming months, we will continue to step up and expand sales both in Germany and on the international market,” remarks Harald Kröger, Head of Development Electrics/Electronics and E-Drive Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Stuttgart/Kamenz – Daimler AG has commenced deliveries of Mercedes-Benz stationary energy storage units for use in private homes. The lithium-ion batteries are being manufactured by the Daimler subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE and distributed through selected sales partners and partner companies. At present, the company’s partners include the energy service provider Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW), the solar technology specialist SMA, as well as a number of wholesale traders. Their network of qualified specialist installers take care of providing the end customers with on-site advice, planning, compiling an individual quotation for all components and the actual installation. Stationary battery storage units are generally installed together with a photovoltaic system. Some 500 installers throughout Germany have already undergone training in collaboration with the partners. “There is tremendous interest in our energy storage units and we have already received numerous orders. Over the coming months, we will continue to expand sales both in Germany and on the international market,” remarks Harald Kröger, Head of Development Electrics/ Electronics and E-Drive Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Originally developed for the rigorous demands of automotive operation, the Mercedes-Benz energy storage units meet the very highest safety and quality standards. Up to eight battery modules with an energy content of 2.5 kWh each can be combined to produce an energy storage unit with a capacity of up to 20 kWh. Households with their own photovoltaic systems can therefore buffer surplus solar power with virtually no losses. 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 percent, thereby 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 photovoltaic 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. 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,” says Kröger. Besides consulting a qualified specialist company, customers also have the option of placing their order directly with Mercedes-Benz (www.mercedes-benz.com/energiespeicher).
Daimler AG: systematic expansion of the battery storage business
Daimler AG entered the stationary battery storage business in 2015 with its subsidiary Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE and has been continuously expanding its activities in this growth segment ever since. 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. Three major projects centred on industrial energy storage solutions are already under development. 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. The storage units serve to balance energy fluctuations in the German national grid. Further projects are already planned.
The stationary energy storage sector presents Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE with new opportunities for growth. In addition to this, Daimler AG is playing an active role in the energy revolution and continuing the success story of battery manufacturing in Germany. Daimler is systematically increasing its production capacities and investing some €500 million in the construction of a second battery factory at the Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE site in Kamenz. The new facility is due to be put into operation in summer 2017.
