Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Energy has set up an additional mass storage reservoir for battery modules for electric cars in a former coal-burning power station in Elverlingsen, South Westphalia. There is a total of 1,920 modules for third-generation electric Smart cars with a pre-installed power output of 8.96 MW and energy capacity of 9.8 MWh. The auto manufacturer’s partners include Hanover-based energy provider GETEC ENERGIE and The Mobility House , a technology company.

In Elverlingsen, the batteries aren’t merely in storage – they’re also connected to the public power grid, which is thus supplied with its operating reserve fully automatically. The system can respond to fluctuations in the grid and compensate for them within milliseconds. At the same time, the battery modules are protected through their charging and discharging processes, which adds several years to their service life.

The facility in Elverlingsen is the third mass storage reservoir of automobile battery systems Daimler has connected to the grid; the first were the Lünen and Hanover facilities, opened in 2016. All three projects were implemented without drawing on public funding, and are even expected to turn a profit.