Updated 28.3.24
Auto maker Mercedes-Benz has ordered an 11MWh Organic SolidFlow flow battery from German battery maker CMBlu Energy for use in its Rastatt plant in Germany.
CMBlu, based in Germany, said Mercedes-Benz is ramping up the use of renewable energy in its production network.
Mercedes-Benz’s first SolidFlow project will be realised in the second half of 2025, according to the battery maker.
The battery in Rastatt will be able to store and release approximately 11MWh of electricity, including that generated by the plant’s own pv systems, for over five hours. It charges for just as long at rated power, according to the company.
A company spokesperson said the system price for the SolidFlow battery storage system including inverter is based on the market price for comparable lithium systems and is around 20% lower. Project-specific installation costs are additioinal.
It guarantees a service life of 20 years or 20,000 cycles under a maintenance contract.
Organic SolidFlow batteries are a combination of flow and solid state technology, the company said. The battery stacks consist of serially connected half cells. Efficiency is claimed up to 90% and the modular nature of the battery means capacity is “in the GWh range”.
The company added that the order from a leading car manufacturer is a significant step for CMBlu Energy. It is planning serial production from the third quarter of 2024.Over half of its 190 staff work in R&D.
The Rastatt plant employs around 6,100 people. It makes A- and B-Class vehicles, as well as the compact SUV GLA. The EQA EV will be built at the site.
