The German company Solarwatt has supplied 608 MyReserve batteries to the prestigious Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which has built the first massive storage center with a total capacity of approximately 1.5 MWh. It is the prototype of a large lithium-ion battery system with particularly low operation and maintenance costs, much like the expected series-produced system. The new project will become operational very soon in the KIT.
“Our contribution to the massive energy storage project of the KIT shows that our batteries are capable of storing energy up to the order of magnitude of megawatts,” says Olaf Wollersheim, general manager of Solarwatt Innovation, referring to the project. “Given the great scalability provided by our modular conception of the battery – accumulation packs governed by management commands – our model is the ideal solution for every conceivable application,” Wollersheim adds.
This modular storage system can be configured to adapt to almost any situation, both a small system in the home, and on an industrial scale
The MyReserve modular storage system can be configured to adapt to almost any situation, both a relatively small system in the home, as well as on an industrial scale, or to supply unique spaces with 100% renewable energy such as, for example, islands or in the future as a storage unit in certain districts in a Smart City. “Our modular battery concept represents a future-oriented product strategy,” says Wollersheim, “because it allows us to meet the different requirements of the customer with guarantee. In addition, we have designed our production lines that allow us to swiftly and quickly react to the market´s new demands”, Wollersheim explains.
The Energy Lab 2.0 of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is investigating the interaction of the components of future energy systems. To this end, new solutions to stabilize energy networks are tested in real conditions. A networked power plant connects the flows of electrical, thermal and chemical energy, as well as new information and communication technologies. KIT creates scientific and environmental knowledge and shares it with society, because its goal is to make significant contributions to global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility and information.
MyReserve modular storage
The modular storage system called MyReserve by Solarwatt allows for storing up to 11kWh of energy. MyReserve is supplied in a compact module that includes two lithium-ion batteries of 2.2kW each and an electronic control system. Its dimensions are 98.4 x 73.4 x 31 cm and a weight of 78 kg. The batteries can be extended up to 11kWh and their discharge depth is 100%. In addition, they offer a 10-year guarantee for the battery modules, although they guarantee a lifespan of more than 15 years.
This system produces lower losses compared to systems where the energy produced is immediately transformed into DC by the inverter
A feature that differentiates this system from others in the market is that it stores the energy in AC and does not transform it into DC until the energy is needed for its consumption, which produces lower losses than if the energy produced is immediately transformed into DC by the inverter.
25 years in the market
Founded in 1993 and active throughout the world, Solarwatt is a manufacturer of integrated photovoltaic systems and a leader in Germany. It is also the European leader in the market for glass-glass photovoltaic modules and one of the leading manufacturers of storage systems, having recently launched the new MyReserve on the market, with significant improvements compared to its predecessor. For 25 years to date, the brand has remained as “premium quality made in Germany”. The Saxon company, which gives job to more than 350 professionals, collaborates with large international groups such as BMW, Bosch or E.ON.
