Mercedes-Benz Plans to Test 11 MWh Battery to Manage Power Fluctuations at Rastatt Plant

Mercedes-Benz has announced its intention to test a large battery at its Rastatt car factory in Germany. This battery, with a capacity of 11 megawatt hours (MWh), will help the company deal with the ups and downs in renewable energy production.

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Joerg Burzer, who oversees production at Mercedes-Benz, emphasized the importance of integrating energy storage into their manufacturing process, especially since they're increasingly using renewable energy sources. The Rastatt factory already generates its own solar power and will be expanding this capacity soon to reduce its carbon footprint even further.

While Mercedes-Benz has been using Lithium-ion batteries at its Sindelfingen plant to manage backup power, they're trying a different approach at the Rastatt facility. They've teamed up with a cleantech company called CMBlu Energy, which will provide an Organic SolidFlow Battery. This type of battery can operate for long periods, helping to stabilize power usage.

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The 11 MWh battery has enough energy to power over 150 EQA electric compact SUVs, and if the initial trial goes well, they might expand its capacity. CMBlu Energy's batteries are known for their reliability, cost-effectiveness, and use of recycled organic materials, avoiding the need for rare materials like cobalt or nickel.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Mercedes-Benz has also secured long-term agreements to purchase solar, wind power, and other renewable energy sources, covering half of its electricity needs in Germany. These agreements aim to ensure stable energy prices and support the company's green initiatives.

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