Tech

Mercedes-Benz Energy reveals Tesla Powerwall home battery rival

Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz, has expanded its use of lithium-ion battery technology with the introduction of new stationary energy storage systems.


Set to be presented at this month's European electrical energy storage trade fair in Munich, the new Mercedes-Benz battery storage systems - combined with renewable energy sources - will allow private homes to increase their consumption of self-generated energy by up to 65 per cent.

In a similar vein to Nissan UK’s recently-revealed energy storage system, and Tesla’s Powerwall - which is already available to order in Australia - Mercedes-Benz’s battery storage system uses the car maker's expertise in battery technology from automotive applications for use in the household.

Each battery module features a 2.5kWh capacity, and up to eight can be combined into an energy storage system for a total of 20kWh.

The Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH facility has been established in the town of Kamenz, Germany, starting with a team of 50 employees. Daimler plans to double that figure by the end of the year, and then double again to 200 employees by the end of 2017.

Harald Kroger, head of development for electrics, electronics and E-drive at Daimler AG, said that in partnership with battery supplier Accumotive, the company can expand its use of battery technology for energy storage along with its current applications in numerous Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

“With Accumotive, we have built up outstanding expertise in the field of highly efficient battery systems,” he said.

“The new focus allows us to react with even greater flexibility to our customers’ requirements, and to expand our product portfolio as necessary.”

“Their products are already in use in a wide range of our vehicle models. Accumotive will successively supply all of our model series from 2017,” Kroger added.

Daimler is also looking to rapidly expand the distribution of its new battery storage solutions beyond German borders, aiming to achieve partnerships within the group and with external parties.

Using its relationship with Mercedes-Benz entities in international markets - such as the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development centre in Silicon Valley, California - Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH will roll out its battery storage units around the world.

Initial deliveries of the battery storage systems commenced in its home market of Germany in April, with wider European, and in turn international distribution, the next steps in the company’s global expansion.

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