Schierling plant powers up with used batteries for sustainable energy 

Webasto has been successfully developing its site in the Upper Palatinate for decades. A particular focus is on sustainability.

Sustainable energy supply from used
batteries at the Webasto plant in Schierling 
 

Stockdorf/Schierling - November 07, 2024 - Webasto, a leading global systems supplier to the automotive industry, is consistently focusing on sustainability and driving forward the energy transition in production. A battery storage system went into operation at the plant in Schierling, Germany, in 2024, representing an important milestone in the implementation of the site's sustainability strategy.

The battery storage system with a capacity of one megawatt hour (MWh) uses 30 used CV standard batteries, so-called second-life batteries. Most of these come from pre-series production and are now used for energy storage. The integration of the batteries into the storage system is straightforward thanks to optimized insertion options.

Intelligent networking for optimum energy efficiency

The battery storage system is intelligently integrated into the plant's energy management system. It is connected to the photovoltaic system via an Ethernet connection to the building management system and can therefore store the self-generated solar power. The connection to the power grid is made via a low-voltage main distribution board in the energy center, which ensures flexible adaptation to changing energy requirements.

Four additional containers, each with a capacity of four megawatt hours, are planned for the future and will be implemented in several expansion stages depending on energy requirements and the availability of second-life batteries.

"By commissioning our battery storage system at the Schierling plant, we are sending out a strong signal for sustainable management and resource efficiency. By using used batteries as second-life batteries, we are extending their life cycle and making an active contribution to the circular economy. This is a further step in our strategy of acting in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner," says plant manager Christian Gallner, summarizing the project.

Sustainable battery production

Thanks to the company's own photovoltaic system with an output of up to 750 kilowatt peak (kWp), battery production in Schierling can be supplied almost entirely with solar energy. Together with the combined heat and power plant, the battery storage system and the photovoltaic system form central components in Webasto's overall strategy for sustainable battery production.

Since 2018, Webasto has been investing in the development of battery production in Schierling and thus in the future viability of the 45,000-square-meter site. Webasto manufactures battery and roof systems for various customers on several state-of-the-art production lines.