Tesvolt aims to accelerate inductive charging for electric vehicles
PRESS RELEASE
Tesvolt aims to accelerate inductive charging for electric vehicles
Energy storage system manufacturer now shareholder in think tank for high-performance charging
Wittenberg, Munich/Germany, 7 July 2021 – Tesvolt is now a shareholder in Stercom Power Solutions, a first mover in the field of inductive charging. The two companies want to join forces to expedite wireless charging of electric cars, buses and lorries to make driving electric even more convenient, efficient and economical. The expert in commercial energy storage systems, already the recipient of several awards for innovation, and the think tank for high-performance charging have found answers to as yet unresolved questions – like delivering sufficient charging power and finding the right parking position over the magnetic coil.
You can find press images here: https://www.tesvolt.com/en/press/tesvolt-aims-to-accelerate-inductive-charging-for-electric-vehicles.html
Supercharging delivers unlimited range
“Stercom is a complete technology specialist and one of the first to develop really good products in the field of inductive charging,” explains Simon Schandert, founder and Chief Technical Officer at Tesvolt. “Our aim is to work together to bring highly efficient charging systems to the market and even in the medium term to enable inductive supercharging with up to 200 kilowatt charging power. This would also make it more efficient to charge while driving in the future.”
Wireless charging involves transferring electrical energy in an inductive, in other words contactless, process from a magnetic coil in or on the floor to a receiver coil in the electric vehicle. This allows for many short but high-speed charging processes – for example on shopping centre forecourts, in multi-storey car parks as well as at home. Car makers like Audi and BMW are already installing charging coils in new vehicle models.
Inductive 44 kW charging station
“So far the only wireless charging suitable for mass-production has just 3.2 kW. We want to introduce an inductive charging station to the market with a charging power of 44 kW, which means charging 14 times faster,” explains Daniel Hannemann, founder and Commercial Director at Tesvolt. “The marketable silicon carbide technology from Stercom works at 95 percent efficiency to permit a highly streamlined energy transfer – and a distance of up to 20 centimetre between the sender and receiver coils, something no other provider on the market has been able to do.” The charging stations will also contain intelligent software which shows the driver the right parking position for the vehicle over the magnetic coil.
Smaller batteries mean cheaper electric cars
“Short and frequent charging dispenses with the need for large car batteries, given that the batteries only need to be around half the size. This significantly lowers the price of electric vehicles while making them lighter and therefore more efficient,” says Robert Sterff, founder and CEO at Stercom. Short and powerful charges do however place high demands on car batteries. “In Germany there is lot of research being done into solid-state batteries, which are particularly well suited for this.”
First vehicles charge wirelessly
There are still some other challenges when it comes to inductive charging. The issue of how to pay for wireless charging, for example, has not been resolved. And the applicable DIN standard 61980-1 “Electric vehicle wireless power transfer systems” is still in the development stage. “We have already delivered inductive technology for international car manufacturers, and vehicles are in the test-run phase around the world,” reports Sterff. Wireless charging is, he continues, the future. Test routes with magnetic coils under the asphalt are already in place in countries like Italy, France and Sweden. And BMW has predicted blanket coverage of inductive charging by 2030 already.
About Tesvolt
Tesvolt specialises in battery storage systems for commerce and industry. The innovative company produces intelligent lithium storage systems with prismatic battery cells from Samsung SDI based on nickel manganese cobalt oxide. Tesvolt manufactures its commercial storage system solutions in series production at Europe’s first gigafactory for commercial battery storage systems at their Wittenberg site and delivers them worldwide. Tesvolt has already implemented more than 2,200 storage system projects and employs almost 100 people in its team. The young company has received several awards, including the German Entrepreneur Award in the “Rising Stars” category, the “TOP 100” award for innovation and the international award for rural electrification (ARE).
About Stercom
Stercom Power Solutions is a market-leading innovator in the field of inductive and tethered charging and power electronics. The company was established in 2014 in the south of Munich and its young team brings together outstanding expertise on all aspects covering the efficiency and safety of systems with high voltages and currents. Stercom is also a specialist in supercap storage systems that are used around the world for peak shaving in catapult launch roller coasters. The think tank developed one of the most powerful supercap storage systems in the world for the research project “Einstein Elevator” at the Leibniz University Hanover, which is used in the simulation of weightlessness.
Press contact
Vera Neuhäuser
Tel. +49 30 – 221 83 82 49
Mobile +49 178 – 53 68 425
vera.neuhaeuser@sunbeam-communications.com
Europe’s largest charging park for electric cars opens
Press Release
Europe’s largest charging park for electric cars opens
Tesvolt supplies 2 MWh storage system for 100-percent green power
Wittenberg/Germany, 8 October 2020 – Europe’s largest charging park for electric vehicles will open on Friday at the Kreuz Hilden junction. The first construction phase of the “Seed & Greet” charging park is complete and 44 charging stations from various operators are ready, including Europe’s fastest charging stations from Tesla and Fastned. All the charging stations are supplied with 100-percent green power from sources including a large photovoltaic installation on the charging park’s carports and the high-performance storage devices from the German manufacturer Tesvolt.
You can find press images here: https://www.tesvolt.com/en/press/europes-largest-e-car-charging-station-opens.html
Europe’s largest charging park project, covering 12,000 square metres, is located at the Kreuz Hilden junction between the A3 and A46 motorways in Germany. The first construction phase involved completing half of the planned 114 charging stations. The current 28 fast charging stations from Fastned and Tesla – including 12 superchargers of the latest V3 generation – can be used to charge electric vehicles with charging power of up to 250 kilowatts (kW). The operator of the charging park will also be providing a further four public charging stations with charging power of up to 22 kW and twelve stations for staff and tenants. While waiting for their cars to charge, motorists will now also be able to use the café-bistro with organic bakery that covers 150 square metres.
Potential hurdles due to Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) amendment
“I hope the EEG amendment doesn’t disrupt projects like these in the future. Lots of people have approached me about their interest in setting up similar projects. If the EEG amendment places further restrictions on self-consumption, however, any such projects would be stifled,” says Roland Schüren, master organic baker and operator of the charging park. “Not only do Germany and Europe need more e-mobility, they particularly need more e-mobility with electricity from renewable energies.”
Europe’s most innovative charging park
“Seed & Greet is currently not only the largest, but is also the most innovative charging park. A sophisticated energy concept with heat recovery, rainwater and process water harvesting, the organic bakery and the wooden frame construction of the park, the planned vertical farming – all of this goes towards making Seed & Greet a flagship project,” says Simon Schandert, co-founder and CTO of Tesvolt. “We are extremely proud to be part of this project with our storage systems.”
Prizewinning storage technology
The two battery storage system containers from the German manufacturer Tesvolt store electricity from the currently 336 kilowatt-peak (kWp) photovoltaic installation and two small wind turbines in order to shave the expensive peak loads that occur during the charging of electric vehicles. They also, however, store green electricity from the grid when it is particularly cheap and relieve the utility grid when there is more electricity in the grid than is consumed. Gregor Hinz, energy consultant and technical planner for the project, anticipates that the two storage systems will have paid for themselves in just a few years.
“Tesvolt storage systems can be fully charged and discharged rapidly, which is particularly important from a technical perspective for a charging park. In combination with our hourly purchase of energy on the German spot market, this is the perfect symbiosis for optimal management of self-generated energy,” reports Hinz.
Hinz had a shortlist of three commercial storage system manufacturers for the charging park project. Tesvolt made the grade because its TPS flex storage container offers plenty of power in a comparatively small space and it is one of the few containers on the market that meet the operator’s high technical requirements. Developed by Tesvolt’s engineers, its intelligent battery control ensures optimal charging and discharging of cells, along with an impressive expected service life of about 30 years. Tesvolt has already received several awards for its innovative ideas and projects.
Charging park with vertical farming to be completed in 2022
The second construction phase is planned for the end of this year, when all the charging stations will be complete and the solar installation will be expanded to a total power of 700 kWp. The five-storey building complex is scheduled for completion by the end of 2022, offering office space for various tenants alongside the Seed & Greet café-bistro. The vertical greenhouse, covering four storeys and 1,000 square metres, will then be located between the two buildings, housing salad, strawberries and blueberries grown for use at the bakery.
About Tesvolt
Tesvolt specialises in battery storage systems for trade and industry. The innovative company from Wittenberg produces lithium storage systems with prismatic battery cells from Samsung SDI based on nickel manganese cobalt oxide. Tesvolt storage systems are always a good match, for high or low voltage, on- or off-grid. They can be used with all renewable energy sources or with combined heat and power units or fuel cells.
Tesvolt has won accolades including received the German Entrepreneur Award in the “Rising Stars” category. Tesvolt also received “The smarter E AWARD” in the “Outstanding Projects” category and the international Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) award for a project supplying off-grid power supply to an avocado farm in south-west Australia.
Press contact
Vera Neuhäuser
Tel. +49 30 – 221 83 82 49
Mobile +49 178 – 53 68 425
vera.neuhaeuser@sunbeam-communications.com
Autonomous Agricultural Robot "Rosie" by ETH Zurich uses Ecovolta Batteries
Press Release
Autonomous Agricultural Robot “Rosie” by ETH Zurich uses Ecovolta Batteries
Brunnen/Schwyz, Switzerland, 26. Juni, 2020. The autonomous agricultural robot “Rosie” for herbicide-free weed removal uses lithium-ion batteries from the Swiss battery system manufacturer Ecovolta. „Rosie’s” fully mechanical operating method reduces the use of environmentally harmful weed killers in agriculture, thus protecting the soil, groundwater, and air. The battery-powered prototype was developed at ETH Zurich, one of the world’s leading technical and scientific universities. The project’s official title is Robotic Weeding System “Rowesys”.
“Rosie” is equipped with four wheeled hub motors and individually steerable wheels. The robot pulls four small ploughshares through the soil between the crop rows in the field. This separates the weeds from the roots and transports them to the surface where they wither. Several camera sensors and a powerful on-board computer enable Rosie to distinguish between crops such as sugar beet and weeds. A GPS signal or pre-programmed routes are not necessary, which significantly reduces the operational effort. The entire system is protected against spray and dust.
Ecovolta not only supplied the batteries for the project but is one of „Rosie’s” sponsors along with 20 other well-known companies. Andrea Cavelti, Electrical Lead of the project at ETH Zurich: “ Ecovolta’s lithium-ion batteries offer a plug-and-play solution with a high safety standard; these factors were very decisive for our focus project, which was marked by time pressure. Thanks to the high energy density combined with dust and water protection, the battery is perfectly tailored for use in an agricultural robot.”
In addition to the battery management system, the Ecovolta solution’s use of an electrolytically nickel-plated cold strip ensures a particularly high level of safety. With its help, defective lithium-ion battery cells are automatically separated from the rest of the battery pack during increased current flows. The special construction principle of the battery packs provides an energy density of 480 Wh per liter.
press contact
German Lewizki
Phone +49 | 30 | 2218382 – 50
Email lewizki@sunbeam-communications.com
About ecovolta
The Swiss ecovolta produces customised high-capacity battery systems and e-mobility solutions. The company’s patented design enables the fully automated series production of high-current capable batteries which do not need active cooling. Battery and drive solutions are developed and tested in the in-house research and development area. ecovolta is a division of the technology company ecocoach AG and has its headquarters in Brunnen/Schwyz, where the production plant ecovolta Swissfactory is located.
www.eco-volta.com/en
Electric excavator with Caterpillar machinery runs on ecovolta batteries
Pressemitteilung
Electric excavator with Caterpillar machinery runs on ecovolta batteries
New electric mini excavator enables pollutant-free work with reduced noise in places with stringent requirements for exhaust and noise pollution. Standardised and certificate-compliant ecovolta battery packs save time for construction vehicle conversion company Avesco and reduces costs for users.
Brunnen/Basel, 14 January, 2020. ecovolta’s standardised lithium-ion traction batteries have found a new application in mini excavators with Caterpillar machinery. The Swiss battery system manufacturer was commissioned by Avesco AG to take the foundation of a Cat 301.7 model and equip it with an electric drive, supplying its battery system for the series. This mini excavator will enable carbon-neutral and low-noise work in city centres and other locations with restrictive pollutant and noise emission thresholds and is set to be presented to the public at the Swissbau exhibition in Basel from 14 to 18 January 2020. ecovolta drive batteries are already in use in lorries, vans, forklifts and boats.
For users, the electric mini excavator means more freedom in their construction work. They also benefit from lower operating costs, which are reduced by two-thirds compared to those associated with equipment running on combustion engines according to Avesco. One reason for this is that electricity is cheaper per operating hour than diesel. Plus, the electric excavator is extremely low-maintenance. Maintenance-intensive components such as v-belts and motor oil systems become redundant and wear to the electric drive is minimal.
Up to 4 hours of stand-alone use and recharging while in operation possible
The base model for the new construction machine is a mini excavator from the latest Caterpillar model series, the Cat® 301.7. The dimensions, furnishings and other specifications correspond with those of the original diesel-driven vehicle. ecovolta’s 96-volt evoTractionBattery has been chosen as the energy-storing component. With its capacity, the vehicle can be operated autonomously for up to 3 or 4 hours, depending on its function.
If the stored energy starts to run low at the job site, the batteries can be plugged in via a 400- or 230-volt line and charged while still in operation, allowing the machine operator to continue their work.
Mini excavator contributes to emission-free construction site
“The electric mini excavator is particularly suited to work in cities with high levels of exhaust and noise pollution, but it is just as good for construction work in residential areas and near hospitals as well as night-time work,” says Pirmin Reichmuth, Managing Director of ecovolta.
Converting excavators is a step in towards establishing emission-free construction sites, an important industry goal. Right now, mini excavators are the main focus of this electrification transition. Because of their simple design and their relatively low energy requirements, switching out their diesel motors for an electric drive is notably easier than in the case of larger vehicles. What’s more, manufacturers are using this as an opportunity to test out the reception of electric construction equipment in general. The standardised and certificate-compliant overall solution ecovolta’s will ease and accelerate the conversion of construction equipment to electric drives. The batteries do not need to be developed separately and conformity with certifications is already ensured. This saves time and cuts costs in the development phase and allows the manufacturer to introduce its electric excavator to the market more quickly and cost-effectively.
The mini excavator will be available to order from spring 2020. After their use in construction equipment, the battery packs can be recycled and used in storage systems for renewably sourced energy.
ecovolta press contact
Mattias Gienal
Chief Marketing Officer at ecocoach AG
Tel. +41 41 811 41 41
mattias.gienal@ecocoach.com
About ecovolta
The Swiss ecovolta produces customised high-capacity battery systems and e-mobility solutions. The company’s patented design enables the fully automated series production of high-current capable batteries which do not need active cooling. Battery and drive solutions are developed and tested in the in-house research and development area. ecovolta is a division of the technology company ecocoach AG and has its headquarters in Brunnen/Schwyz, where the production plant ecovolta Swissfactory is located.
www.eco-volta.com/en
www.ecocoach.com
Avesco press contact
Thomas Wermelinger
Director of Compact Construction Equipment at Avesco
Tel. +41 79 934 08 60
thomas.wermelinger@avesco.ch
About Avesco AG
Avesco AG is active in the area of industrial products and is a leader on the Swiss market for construction equipment with a central focus on customer service. As an innovative company committed to quality, Avesco AG works with commercial products which are undeniably among the best on the global market. The family-owned company is rich in tradition, boasting a history of over 145 years in operation, but it is continuously undergoing development and experiencing new breakthroughs.
ecovolta provides battery system for the “Boat of the Year”
Press release
ecovolta provides battery system for the “Boat of the Year”
Solid-wood motorboat powered by standardised lithium-ion traction batteries
Brunnen/Schwyz, Switzerland, 14 November 2019 - At the Genoa International Boat Show, the largest boat exhibition in the Mediterranean region, the first fully electric motorboat “Ernesto”, originating from the Ernesto Riva boatyard, was named “Boat of the Year” in the Motorboat category. The eight-metre long boat made of solid wood brings together an elegant, minimalistic design with sustainable materials and a modern, emission-free drive. The standardised and certification-compliant lithium-ion traction batteries used are produced by ecovolta, a Swiss firm which produces customised high-capacity battery systems and e-mobility solutions.
The Genoa International Boat Show is one of the worldwide leading maritime exhibitions. The Ernesto Riva boatyard entered its latest innovation in the competition, where boats are awarded prizes in the Motorboat, Sailboat, Ship, Multihull and Inflatable Boat categories. A company rich in tradition, the boatyard was founded in 1771 on the shore of Lake Como and is known for its continuous developments in wooden boat building. Its prize-winning motorboat is nothing short of revolutionary, representing sustainable and environmentally friendly advancements in boat building.
With its reduced noise and emission levels on the water, the boat’s electric drive contributes greatly to maritime climate conservation — and that even at a top cruising speed of 25 knots. The brushless motor (electric motor without a carbon brush) is driven by lithium-ion batteries (Li-NMC) with a total storage capacity of 60 kWh (4x15 kWh). ecovolta is the manufacturer of these traction batteries with an integrated battery management system. The company’s “evoTractionBattery” overall solution complies with certifications and can be installed and configured within just a few hours.
“Thanks to our standardised battery system, the Ernesto Riva boatyard was able to introduce to the market an initial limited edition of their new electric boat with high-grade certified high-performance batteries,” reports Paul Hauser, CTO of ecovolta.
Even the selection of materials was made with the environment in mind. The high-quality woods used — including cedar, Douglas fir and mahogany — all came from sustainable sources, guaranteeing a long service life. Natural paints are also used for the coating.
The Genoa International Boat Show’s “Boat of the Year” distinction is conferred by the magazine “Vela e Motore” together with the Italian marine industry association UCINA – Confindustria Nautica.
About ecovolta
The Swiss ecovolta produces customised high-capacity battery systems and e-mobility solutions. The company’s proprietary design enables the fully automated series production of high-current capable batteries which do not need active cooling. Battery and drive solutions are developed and tested in the in-house research and development area. ecovolta is a division of the technology company ecocoach AG and has its headquarters and Swissfactory production plant in Brunnen/Schwyz, Switzerland.
www.eco-volta.com
www.ecocoach.com
About Ernesto Riva Shipyard
The Ernesto Riva shipyard has distant roots, in 1771, in Laglio on Lake Como. Since its origins, the shipyard has been dedicated to the construction of boats, lances, English boats and Manzoni's "lucie", used by fishermen or traders. Today, Ernesto Riva Shipyard has skillfully combined the secrets of tradition with the most innovative working methods, aiming for excellence in design and quality of materials, with an eye to the environment.
ecovolta press contact
Mattias Gienal
Tel. +41 41 811 41 41
mattias.gienal@ecocoach.com
ecovolta battery system cuts logistics costs
Press release
ecovolta battery system cuts logistics costs
Lithium-ion traction battery replaces lead-acid batteries and cuts charge cycle costs by up to 50 percent
Brunnen/Schwyz, 25 September 2019 — Swiss battery system manufacturer ecovolta is launching a cost-cutting traction battery for industrial vehicles such as forklifts and pallet jacks. Thanks to a standardised lithium-ion solution, the evoTractionBattery can replace lead-acid batteries, cutting the costs per charge cycle by up to 50 percent. Each evoTractionBattery can also be monitored individually via the cloud, which makes it possible to easily check battery data and manage charging online. To smooth the battery’s introduction, ecovolta is offering support to companies in integrating the new solution into their existing logistics systems.
Capacity and service life offer cost benefits
The higher usable capacity of ecovolta’s evoTractionBattery and the significantly longer service life of its Li-ion technology offer major benefits in comparison to lead-acid batteries. Traditional lead-acid batteries can only be discharged to 50 percent of their capacity at most, whereas 90 percent of the capacity of ecovolta’s lithium-ion batteries can be used. Moreover, the new generation of batteries can be charged and discharged about 3,000 times, compared to only around 1,200 times for lead-acid batteries.
For an example capacity of around 10 kWh, the new solution can reduce costs by up to 50% per charge and discharge cycle. The charging time and weight will also be scaled back by over 80 percent.
“Until now, lithium-ion technology hadn’t caught on in logistics since the increased initial capital costs put a cap on the economic viability in comparison to lead-acid batteries. But the evoTractionBattery is changing that, enabling a 10-kWh lead-acid battery to be quickly and easily replaced by a 5-kWh lithium-ion solution at a low cost,” says Paul Hauser, CTO of ecovolta.
Simplified handling and flexible construction
The evoTractionBattery’s specifications also make it much more user-friendly. Unlike with lead-acid batteries, boosting charges do not have a negative effect on the service life of this lithium-ion battery. Combined with quicker charging and a greater depth of discharge, this means that operators of industrial vehicles are no longer limited by restrictive charging regulations or the need to change out batteries. Lithium-ion batteries also do not require the maintenance that lead-acid batteries do.
Voltage ranges of 24 V to 800 V and capacities of 2.5 kWh to 7,500 kWh can be achieved with discharging currents of up to 500 A by connecting the batteries to form strings in any series configuration or in parallel. The standard casing with defined surface dimensions of 520 x 220 mm ensures clear parameters for construction.
Support for replacing lead-acid batteries in existing systems
ecovolta offers various services to support companies in integrating the lithium-ion solution, including charging infrastructure design and capacity planning. This enables many companies to reduce the overall number of vehicles in operation since lithium-ion batteries can be charged more quickly than conventional lead-acid batteries.
Proprietary construction system
ecovolta uses a specialised construction system for the evoTractionBattery which enables the fully automated batch production of high-current capable lithium-ion batteries that do not require active cooling.
The integrated battery management system enables master/slave operation of multiple batteries connected to a CAN bus. This allows the batteries to exchange information with the higher-level control system — a prerequisite for efficiently and safely operating vehicles. Comprehensive safety technology with a relay and fuse also makes up an integral part of the package.
ecovolta press contact
Mattias Gienal
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at ecocoach AG
Tel. +41 41 811 41 41
mattias.gienal@ecocoach.com
About ecovolta
ecovolta is a Swiss manufacturer of customised high-performance battery systems with a focus on e-mobility solutions. Its proprietary construction method enables the fully automated batch production of high-current capable batteries that do not require active cooling. It also develops and tests battery and drive solutions in its in-house research and development department. ecovolta is a division of the technology company ecocoach AG with its headquarters in Brunnen, Switzerland, where the ecovolta Swissfactory production plant is also located.
https://eco-volta.com
https://ecocoach.com
World premiere for electrified boat classic “Vaporina Elettra" at Concorso d'Eleganza
Press release
World premiere for electrified boat classic “Vaporina Elettra" at Concorso d'Eleganza
ecovolta as technology partner for batteries, inverters and electric design
Schwyz/Como, Villa d’Este, 28 May 2019 — The Ernesto Riva shipyard showed off a never before seen fully electric model of the classic Vaporina at this year’s world-famous beauty contest for historic automobiles and motorcycles — Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d’Este 2019. The Elettra model is also the first electric yacht available for rent on Lake Como. The first guests set sail aboard the yacht on 25 May 2019 in the Italian municipality of Cernobbio where the competition takes place.
Despite its classic wooden construction the Elettra makes 100% emission-free tourism possible. That is a critical advantage for residents and visitors to the northern Italian lake known for serving as a backdrop to Star Wars and James Bond films as well as for its various spa towns and parks.
ecovolta is the technology partner of the project. The Swiss company is a division of Swiss technology company ecocoach. It was responsible for designing the yacht’s electronics as well as supplying its lithium-ion batteries and the inverter.
A marriage of Italian design and Swiss engineering
The historic shipyard Ernesto Riva has been building exceptional wooden boats since 1771. Today, it is under the leadership of Daniele Riba. The name Elettra hails back to Guglielmo Marconi’s famous research vessel, which was capable of using radio signals for navigation purposes as early as the turn of the 20th century. The current Vaporina Elettra has two electric motors, each with a power output of 100 kW, a length of nearly 10 metres and room for 12 people on board.
“The Vaporina is one of the most traditional models manufactured by Ernesto Riva. With the new electric drive, we are prepared for the 21st century. The boat shows once again how elegant, uncompromisingly sustainable and safe maritime e-mobility can be in this day and age,” says Daniele Riva. Last year, the shipyard had already presented its innovative e-Commuter, which is also fully electric.
Both projects were implemented in collaboration with ecovolta. The ecovolta lithium-ion batteries used in the Elettra provide a total capacity of 180 kWh and enable 5 hours of autonomous operation at a speed of 13 knots. Thanks to their high energy density of 480 Wh per litre, the batteries offer a high capacity without taking up too much space.
The ecovolta safety concept uses cell junctions made up of nickel-electroplated cold strips which automatically cut off damaged battery cells from the rest of the mechanism, preventing fires and allowing the battery as a whole to remain functional, even when individual cells malfunction.
ecovolta CEO Pirmin Reichmuth adds, “The Elettra is a perfect picture of the marriage of Swiss technology and Italian design. Just like electric lorries, vans and motorcycles already running on our batteries, the Elettra combines smart engineering with performance and sustainability.”
New electric trucks from E-Force One AG receive batteries from ecovolta
Press release
New electric trucks from E-Force One AG receive batteries from ecovolta
Schwyz/Munich, 9 May 2019 — E-Force One, the first supplier of electric 18-ton class trucks worldwide, is set to begin equipping its vehicles with lithium-ion batteries from the Swiss manufacturer ecovolta. At the specialist exhibition The smarter E Europe 2019, E-Force One AG will be showcasing its new EF18 SZM semi-trailer truck with an output of up to 550 kW. At companies such as Lidl and Coop, predecessor models currently travel up to 6,000 km per month each and have already covered over 1.5 million kilometres in total.
Zero-emissions and low-noise urban and regional goods transport
Electric trucks are preferred for both urban and regional goods transport, enabling zero-emissions and low-noise lorry traffic. To keep up with this trend, E-Force One AG has developed a concept for individually modifying each vehicle to the type of route and necessary distance it has to travel as well as the charging technology with which it interacts. Not only can each semi-trailer lorry be potentially outfitted with different battery sizes attuned for the trip profile in question, there are also two different varieties of drive mechanism to choose from. The individual components are assembled into a singular package for each and every vehicle.
The EF18 SZM is equipped with permanent magnet synchronous motors capable of outputting either 440 kW or 550 kW of power, with a battery capacity between 105 kWh and 630 kWh. This combination allows the vehicles to reach speeds of up to 85 km/h and climb inclines of up to 16 percent.
Strategic partnership strengthens flexibility and modularity
CEO of E-Force One AG, Stefan Aufdereggen says, “Our electric heavy trucks require especially safe and flexible battery solutions with a high energy density. It is precisely in this area that ecovolta can show off the strength of its battery packs. Their high energy density reduces the weight of the battery, making the vehicle lighter as a whole.”
CEO of ecovolta Pirmin Reichmuth adds, “Commercial electric vehicles often have typical trip profiles for which their drivetrains and batteries can be optimised. One given type of vehicle may therefore require a different battery than its twin. Manufacturers who would like to optimally customise their products to users’ needs typically require modular battery solutions. At the same time, batteries still need to reach a level of standardisation which maintains efficient product development and production.”
Through its unique yet standardised design, which makes possible the high energy density of up to 480 Wh per litre, ecovolta’s patented battery concept significantly speeds up vehicle development. evoTractionBattery models boasting various certifications, including UNECE R 100, are available with voltages ranging from 24 to 96 volts and capacities of 2.5 kWh to 15 kWh. The customisable electrical connection of up to 16 batteries in series and a parallel connection of as many as 32 strings enable a potential battery voltage of 24 to 829 volts.
ecovolta at The smarter E Europe 2019: hall C2/670
ecovolta press contact:
Mattias Gienal
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at ecocoach AG
Tel. +41 41 811 41 41
mattias.gienal@ecocoach.com
E-Force One AG press contact:
Corina Fedier
Administration and Supply Chain at E-Force One AG
Tel. +41 44 515 48 51
corina.fedier@eforce.ch
About ecovolta
The Swiss ecovolta produces customised high-capacity battery systems and e-mobility solutions. The company’s patented design enables the fully automated series production of high-current capable batteries which do not need active cooling. Battery and drive solutions are developed and tested in the in-house research and development area. ecovolta is a division of the technology company ecocoach AG and has its headquarters and Swissfactory production plant in Brunnen/Schwyz, Switzerland.
About E-Force One
E-Force One AG was founded in 2012 with the vision of paving the way for heavy load e-mobility. In 2013, we launched the EFORCE E18, the world’s first serially produced, fully battery-operated 18-ton lorry. From our humble beginnings as lone pioneers, we have become one of today’s leading companies for electric heavy load vehicles. With clear goals, bold ideas and convincing products, we are continuing to follow our own road.
Electrifying e-Transporter enjoys world premiere in Stoos
Press release
Electrifying e-Transporter enjoys world premiere in Stoos
ecovolta electrifies the Aebi eVT 450 Transporter
Stoos/Schwyz, April 17, 2019 — At 1,305 meters above sea level in the car-free Swiss village of Stoos, the future is underway. All eyes were on the village when the world’s steepest funicular was opened there in December 2017, and now it is the venue of another small world premiere with great potential, as the Swiss tech firm ecovolta celebrates the first Aebi Transporter fitted with a fully electric drive. The Transporter was electrified in cooperation with Aebi. Aebi Schmidt is a globally leading provider of vehicles and services for the maintenance of green spaces on challenging terrain. This is the first time that an Aebi machine has used the standardized Li-ion traction battery developed by ecovolta.
Pilot project lays the groundwork for partnership between Aebi Schmidt Group and ecovolta
Since the start of February 2019, the popular Aebi VT 450 Transporter has been in use in the car-free mountain village of Stoos — with a fully electric drive. It is Aebi’s first 100 percent electric and emission-free Transporter model. It is the product of a collaboration between the Aebi Schmidt Group and ecovolta. Tobias Weissenrieder, Head of Technical Unit (R&D and Product Management) at the Aebi Schmidt Group, speaks proudly of their partnership with ecovolta: “It took us just 5 months to go from the idea to implementation. As we developed and integrated the drive concept, we learned a few things that we will be able to use again in future projects.” ecovolta is a division of ecocoach AG, whose CEO Pirmin Reichmuth adds: “The pilot project is a perfect example of Swiss engineering and certainly won’t be the last electrifying innovation from Aebi Schmidt and ecovolta.”
Electrified Swiss Transporter with Swiss battery solution and drive technology
Like the conventional model, the eVT 450 Vario is a four-wheel drive vehicle with a stepless power-split hydrostatic-mechanical transmission and can be easily switched from tires to a crawler track and back as needed. The large surface area of the crawler track in particular minimizes the vehicle’s impact on the terrain — an advantage over tractors which is especially clear when the Transporter is used on ski slopes and snow-covered roads. The eVT 450 Vario’s useful load of up to 5 tonnes is unparalleled in the electric Transporter class. The vehicle can also be quickly fitted with a flatbed or a closed body depending on what is being transported.
Standardization and engineering service enable direct transition to e-mobility
The Aebi VT 450 Vario’s electric drive draws on ecovolta technology. ecovolta’s patented battery design is based on innovation through standardization and makes it possible to electrify vehicles of all kinds. Until now, customized battery packs had to be developed for each individual vehicle type. This time-consuming work created added risks and meant that electric vehicle manufacturing was only profitable with high production runs. The evoTractionBattery from ecovolta, on the other hand, is already certified as a comprehensive solution and can be quickly put into operation.
Standardization cuts the costs per kilowatt hour of electricity stored, lowering the barriers to entry for companies looking to move into e-mobility. The capacity levels and electronics have been standardized along with some of the dimensions. The evoTractionBattery is available with voltages from 24 to 96 V and capacities from 2.5 to 15 kWh. Up to 16 batteries can be connected in series as needed, or up to 32 strings in parallel, allowing battery voltages of between 24 and 829 V and total capacities of up to around 7,600 kWh.
First test phase yields impressive results
The Aebi eVT 450 Vario’s battery solution comprises 12 battery packs which each have 840 cells, offering a total energy capacity of 120 kWh. The transmission is impressively powerful at 80 kW. The vehicle has the following key specifications:
• Engine power: 80 kW (throttled)
• Battery chemistry: NMC
• Battery storage: 120 kWh 12x10 kWh evoTractionBattery 48 V
• Voltage: 600 V
• Time to reach 80% charge: 4 hours
• Max. speed with crawler track: 25 km/h
• Max. speed with tires: 45 km/h
The performance results in field tests even slightly exceeded the expected levels in the first test phase, lasting two months. The Aebi eVT 450 Vario regularly and reliably performed its duties for 4 hours with no faults occurring. Recharging to 80 percent also takes 4 hours. As the eVT 450 Vario was fitted with a crawler track in the test phase, it can be expected to perform better still in the summer when used with tires. The drivers or transport workers are certainly satisfied, and both locals and visitors are pleased that the electric Transporters are almost noiseless. In particular, the lack of engine noise means guests can now enjoy the village’s wonderful garden terraces in peace.
“The eVT 450 will now undergo another phase of rigorous testing,” says Tobias Weissenrieder. Weissenrieder and his team already have experience with mechanical road sweepers — fully electric models will be entering series production this fall. “The strong results have exceeded our expectations and made us very optimistic. Now we want to test whether the vehicle will behave as we expect over longer periods of time,” says Weissenrieder.
If you have any questions, the following contacts will be happy to help:
Press contact Aebi Schmidt Group:
Silvia Knorr
Marketing Manager
Tel. +41 44 308 58 59
Silvia.Knorr@aebi-schmidt.com
Press contact ecovolta:
Mattias Gienal
Chief Marketing Officer, ecocoach AG
Tel. +41 41 811 41 41
mattias.gienal@ecocoach.com
Press contact Stoosbahnen AG:
Ivan Steiner
Stoosbahnen AG
Tel. +41 41 818 08 36
ivan.steiner@stoos.ch
About ecovolta
The Swiss ecovolta produces customised high-capacity battery systems and e-mobility solutions. The company’s patented design enables the fully automated series production of high-current capable batteries which do not need active cooling. Battery and drive solutions are developed and tested in the in-house research and development area. ecovolta is a division of the technology company ecocoach AG and has its headquarters and Swissfactory production plant in Brunnen/Schwyz, Switzerland.
https://www.eco-volta.com
About Stoosbahnen AG
Stoosbahnen AG manages a tourism business and is responsible for transport links to the mountain village of Stoos. This quaint destination in the heart of Switzerland’s oldest region is known for its modern mountain railway systems and well-preserved traditions, and welcomes daytrippers and holidaymakers all year round. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities including three chairlifts and, in winter, another three skilifts and a children’s ski area with two conveyor belts. The world’s steepest funicular, with a gradient of 110%, and spectacular views of Lake Lucerne and the historic Rütli meadow are among the area’s unmissable sights.
https://stoos-muotatal.ch/
About the Aebi Schmidt Group
The Aebi Schmidt Group is a leading global provider of intelligent product systems and services for cleaning and sweeping business-critical traffic areas, and for maintaining green spaces in demanding terrain. Its comprehensive and innovative range includes vehicles, attachments to enable personalised vehicle outfitting, and a service program for customer-specific solutions. In 2018, the company achieved revenue of EUR 413 million. It employs around 2,000 people in 10 specialist centres and 15 local sales and service organisations around the world. The brand portfolio was streamlined in March 2019 and consists of the product brands Aebi, Schmidt, Nido, Meyer, Swenson and MB. Aebi Schmidt Holding AG is based in Frauenfeld, with a second site in Zurich.
https://www.youtube.com/user/AebiSchmidtGroup
https://blog-en.aebi-schmidt.com/
https://media.aebi-schmidt.com (images, logos)
ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE: Storage applications on the rise across sectors
ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE: Storage applications on the rise across sectors
Turnover of German storage companies at five billion euros
Interest in storage is expanding across all industries
Exhibitors present unique range of solutions
Düsseldorf, 14 March 2019 – Energy storage systems are attracting great interest in more and more industries. The reasons: Technological maturity and a multitude of marketable products. This development is also substantiated by the trade fair cooperations as well as by the positive visitor reactions at this year's ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE, which ends today in Düsseldorf after three successful days. More than 90% of visitors and exhibitors confirmed their satisfaction with the industry event.
For its 8th event, the international trade fair and conference had, amongst other things, established cooperations with leading international industry events, including boot Düsseldorf, ProWein, the technology trade fair quartet for metallurgy, foundry technology and thermo processing GMTN and the trade fair for the investment needs of the trade EuroShop.
The German Energy Storage Association (BVES) presented the latest market figures at the trade fair and confirmed the positive development as well as the increasing importance of the energy storage industry. Sales revenues increased by nine per cent to five billion euros. The industry also reported an increase of nine per cent in the number of employees to 12,100. They primarily work in the segments of large & industrial batteries (33 %), heat storage (33 %) and home storage (21 %).
Press photos: www.eseexpo.com
Minister of Economics and Energy, Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart: "Storage facilities are decisive for the success of the energy system transformation. They make an important contribution to the flexibilisation and integration of increasing proportions of renewable energies and contribute to the security of supply. ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE, the leading international trade fair for energy storage, presents the entire range of technologies and applications and provides important approaches to solutions. Especially for the energy state of North Rhine-Westphalia, these innovations are of particular importance."
"Storage facilities pave the way for multiple success: For the energy system transformation, at the same time for a stable energy system and finally for a sustainable economic development. As part of the World of Energy Storage, Energy Storage Europe is the industry's connecting point that effortlessly brings together both regional and international developments," adds Urban Windelen, Federal Managing Director of the German Energy Storage Association (BVES).
B2B orientation is strengthened through trade fair cooperations
ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE is consistently pursuing its focus on B2B with energy storage systems, and it has once more reached a share of trade visitors of 99 %. Around 40% of the visitors come from abroad. The spectrum of presented solutions, technologies and applications increased again this year. The conferences were supplemented by free special presentations that specifically addressed the needs of users.
Hans Werner Reinhard, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf: "As one of the world's leading trade fair companies for B2B, we are putting the focus on energy storage for the exhibitors and the visitors of our leading trade fairs. In this way, we help our partners and customers to reduce their electricity costs and emissions and improve power quality." Reinhard continues: "For energy storage providers and especially for the exhibitors at ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE, the increased user interest - completely in line with the business orientation of the trade fair - means more attention for their solutions and products.“
From home storage to charging infrastructure, right up to flexible sector coupling
The technological spectrum of ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE was also reflected in the conference programme of the 8th Energy Storage Europe Conference (ESE) of Messe Düsseldorf and the 13th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference (IRES) of EUROSOLAR e.V. In addition to battery storage, power-to-X concepts and mobility infrastructure solutions, thermal storage was the focal point of various sessions this year. Thereby, also numerous innovative approaches were addressed such as heat storage within the scope of flexible sector coupling as well as power-to-heat solutions based on thermochemical processes.
Prof. Peter Droege, President of EUROSOLAR, expressed his satisfaction: "The International Renewable Energy Storage (IRES) Conference is the world's largest and most significant scientific storage conference. We are proud that IRES with its faithful partner, 'ESE', has gained further importance and scientific influence".
Another important part of IRES 2019 was a series of German-language lectures organised by EUROSOLAR e.V. in cooperation with the EnergyAgency.NRW. Under the moderation of Prof. Dr. Dirk Uwe Sauer (RWTH Aachen) and IRES Conference Chair Prof. Dr. Ingo Stadler (TH Cologne), the participants discussed, for example, the perspectives of flexibility options in the distribution network and the use of large storage facilities for electricity, gas and heat in Germany and around the world.
Prof. Dr. Ingo Stadler called for action in his closing statement for IRES: "Let us maintain and strengthen the pressure on the political arena in order to create an appropriate framework for the implementation of energy change in general and energy storage in particular".
About Energy Storage Europe 2019 | exhibition grounds Düsseldorf
Energy Storage Europe is the trade fair for the global energy storage industry with focus on applications and energy systems. The international specialist conferences, taking place in parallel, offer the world's largest conference programme on all energy storage technologies. They include the 8th Energy Storage Europe Conference (ESE) of Messe Düsseldorf and the 13th International Renewable Energy Storage Conference (IRES) of EUROSOLAR e.V. The focal points are economy and finance (ESE) as well as science and social policy (IRES). In 2019, around 4.000 experts from 60 countries visited ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE. 160 exhibitors presented themselves.
Press contact:
Messe Düsseldorf GmbH / Press Department
Daniel Krauß / Desislava Angelova / Sabrina Giewald
Tel. +49(0)211 4560 598
Fax +49(0)211 4560-87598
Email: KraussD@messe-duesseldorf.de
Sunbeam Communications
German Lewizki
Tel. +49 (0) 30 221 83 82 50
Fax +49 (0) 30 221 83 82 99
E-Mail: lewizki@sunbeam-communications.com
EUROSOLAR e.V.
Ines Bresler
Tel. +49(0)228 / 2891 446
Fax +49(0)228 / 36 12 13
Email: ines.bresler@eurosolar.de