Power House for electricity storage
Power House for electricity storage
The transition towards renewable energies poses major challenges for the transport sector. The increasing use of electrically powered trucks requires high charging capacities that the current charging infrastructure cannot yet provide. In addition, electricity costs are more expensive at high power (fast charging) regardless of consumption due to peak loads. The Kiesling "Power House" offers an innovative solution that enables more efficient and safe electricity storage.
In stationary electricity storage systems, electricity from photovoltaic or wind power plants is stored and can be used later. When charging the batteries of electric trucks, for example, the electricity generated during the day can be used in the evening. This reduces peak loads and increases the charging capacity overall.
For these applications, Kiesling has developed the “Power House”, which is installed away from existing buildings.
The "Power House" replaces conventional containers with an insulated structure specially designed for electricity storage systems. The Power House is air-conditioned and offers space for a storage unit of up to 1 MWh and the associated inverters. The system can be installed in a car parking space, for example.
Efficient operation at its optimum
The "Power House" guarantees a constant operating temperature of 20°C to 25°C thanks to its high-quality insulation (K value below 0.4 W/m²K) in conjunction with suitable air conditioning, which increases efficiency and extends the service life of the sensitive battery systems. The constant operating temperature not only improves the safety of the system, but also ensures that the warranty conditions for the battery systems are met.
An important feature is the raised floor, which is sunk into the ground during construction. This allows high-voltage cables to be safely routed into the side of the structure. Laying them in the structure is easy, and good access is always possible for maintenance or inspections. The raised floor also insulates and protects the battery elements on the floor from the cold.
The “Power House” was developed in collaboration with specialists to meet the following requirements:
- Transport: The “Power House” is dimensioned in such a way that it can be transported without special approval and can also be relocated if necessary.
- Installation: It can be installed on a car parking space, which is possible with a backhoe, which is also needed for excavation.
- Ongoing operation/maintenance: The recessed raised floor enables safe installation of the underfloor high-voltage cables and facilitates maintenance.
- Fire protection: Set up as a separate building, there is a distance to other buildings in the event of a fire.
- Ecology/Recycling: The “Power House” is “Made in Germany” and is produced entirely in the Dornstadt plant. The panels are just as recyclable as the refrigerated bodies produced by Kiesling.
With the “Power House”, Kiesling offers a solution that is used not only in the transport sector but also by companies, energy suppliers and municipal utilities, as the storage of electricity can smooth out peak loads and reduce the costs, for example for fast charging of e-trucks.
By storing excess electricity, companies can increase their level of self-sufficiency and become more independent from energy suppliers.
The Power House was created from our own needs:
Kiesling Fahrzeugbau GmbH has photovoltaic systems with over 550 kWp, which, over the course of a year, produce more electricity than is consumed in production.
By installing a battery storage system, the aim was to increase the level of self-sufficiency and reduce peak loads. The simple containers on offer did not meet the requirements for efficient operation. As a specialist in insulated structures, it made sense to build a better solution ourselves.
The first ten “Power Houses” are now located at companies in the region, including Kiesling Fahrzeugbau GmbH itself.
Peter Kiesling, project manager for investments in the energy sector, is satisfied: "Even with the current temperatures of sometimes over 30°C, the "Power House" remains well tempered at a constant 22°C. The sensitive battery storage and inverters are thus optimally protected. Since the devices record the operating temperature, guarantees are maintained."
The company's own power house on the factory premises is labelled with advertising and catches the eye of visitors and passers-by.
Kiesling Fahrzeugbau GmbH produces in a climate-neutral manner (according to Scope 1 and 2). The Power House clearly demonstrates this at the site.
IAA Commercial Vehicles 2024: 2nd place at the ITA
The International Trailer Award (formerly: Trailer Innovation) is regularly presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles. This year, the Kiesling Power House was awarded second place in the Environment category!
