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The Nagel Group is reaching another important milestone on its path to sustainable logistics: An innovative battery storage system from the Austrian manufacturer CellCube has now been commissioned at the Bochum site. The new storage system complements the largest rooftop photovoltaic system in the Ruhr area, which is also located at the Bochum site, and significantly increases the self-consumption rate of the generated electricity.
(Versmold/Bochum) So far, around 40 to 50 percent of the solar energy from the photovoltaic system could not be used directly and was therefore fed into the public grid. With the new battery storage system, these surpluses can now be efficiently stored and consumed directly on-site when needed. By utilizing self-generated electricity, up to 450,000 euros in electricity costs can be saved annually. The electricity is used to power cooling systems, charge electric trucks and forklifts, and to avoid peak electricity loads throughout the day.
Sustainability, economic efficiency, and supply security for food logistics
“The new battery storage system is another important building block of our sustainability strategy,” explains Carsten Taucke, CEO of the Nagel Group. “It not only enables us to use renewable energy more efficiently but also strengthens the supply security for our temperature-controlled processes.”
The CellCube storage technology brings several advantages for food logistics. With a storage capacity of 2.5 MWh and a maximum output of 500 kW, the deployed battery storage system reliably provides energy, even at night or on days with low sunlight. This is a crucial advantage, especially in temperature-controlled logistics processes: In the event of a short-term power outage, the storage can step in and secure the power supply of critical cooling systems. Thus, it also serves as a temporary backup power source.
Another advantage lies in the intelligent peak load management. In food logistics, energy demands often fluctuate significantly, for example, when multiple electric trucks are charged simultaneously. The battery storage can cushion these peak loads with a power uptake of up to 666 kW. The vanadium flow technology is based on non-flammable, water-based electrolytes that operate safely even at extreme temperatures between -40 and +45 degrees Celsius.
At the same time, the system impresses with its exceptionally long lifespan of over 30 years and more than 30,000 charge cycles. This means that the full storage capacity is maintained throughout its entire lifespan. By intelligently utilizing the self-generated electricity from the photovoltaic system, electricity procurement costs at the Bochum site can be reduced by around 450,000 euros annually, benefiting both the environment and economic efficiency.
Consistently thought-out sustainability
From a technical operations perspective, the deployment is a clear model for the future, as André Pleines, Executive Director Real Estate of the Nagel Group, emphasizes: “With the CellCube system, we are opting for a storage solution that perfectly meets the requirements of our logistics centers: robust, low-maintenance, and economically scalable. The technology can be seamlessly integrated into our existing infrastructure and helps us make our energy supply more independent and sustainable in the long term.”
The sustainability of the storage solution is not only evident in its operation but begins with its production: The vanadium electrolyte used is derived from recycled raw materials such as by-products of the steel industry. It is non-flammable, non-explosive, reusable, and contains no rare earths, providing an environmental advantage over conventional battery systems. “With the Nagel Group, we gain a forward-looking partner that demonstrates how sustainable energy storage and critical business applications like cold chain logistics can work together excellently,” says Christoph Stelzer, COO of CellCube Energy Storage GmbH. “Our vanadium technology provides the necessary security, longevity, and scalability for this.”
Model character for other locations
The Bochum site serves as a pilot project for the integration of battery storage in food logistics. Other logistics centers of the Nagel Group, including those in Hamburg, are already in the concrete planning phase for the implementation of comparable systems.
Photo: © Nagel Group
