Press release: Battery cell expert Schmalz and VoltStorage work together

Boost for Renewable Energies: Battery cell expert Schmalz and energy storage specialist VoltStorage work hand in hand

Battery cells (stacks) are the heart of vanadium redox flow batteries. The electrochemical converters ensure that the system can store or release energy. Moving hand in hand towards a renewable energy future are stacks from Schmalz and energy storage solutions from VoltStorage.

Vanadium redox flow batteries from VoltStorage are efficient storage solutions for renewable energy. This promising solution requires no rare earths, is easily scalable, and has no memory effect. It is also safe, and extremely durable. To enable the battery to do what it is supposed to do — namely, to absorbing and releasing electric energy — an electrochemical converter is necessary. This stack converts chemical energy into electrical energy and vice versa.

Two partners fitting together

VoltStorage offers energy storage solutions based on vanadium redox flow technology, designed for use in commerce and industry. For the central component of this storage solution, the company wanted to use only the best components available on the market. The choice fell on the battery stacks from automation expert Schmalz. The company not only assists users in handling battery cells but also possesses the corresponding know-how in the development and production of stacks for redox flow battery systems in-house.

“Our many years of expertise in the fields of manufacturing systems, plastics and handling technology enable us to deliver first-class quality. This is also confirmed by our customers," emphasizes Dr. Kurt Schmalz, Managing Director at Schmalz GmbH.

VoltStorage and Schmalz have now agreed on the delivery of Schmalz battery stacks for the commercial storage VoltStorage VDIUM C50. With this combination, VoltStorage can achieve the best cost-benefit ratio. In addition, the stacks developed by Schmalz fit the requirements perfectly in terms of line density, cycle life, scalability and maintenance effort.

"We wanted a reliable and powerful partner who produces in Germany, and we found that with Schmalz," explains VoltStorage COO Verena Graf. "We can now use our comprehensive expertise to optimize the interaction of the stack with the other components of the product unit concerning aspects such as operating strategies, energy management, scalability, cell efficiency, and power density, thereby minimizing maintenance effort. The result is an innovative solution that allows companies and businesses to make even better use of the benefits of renewable energies."

VoltStorage plans to introduce the new storage solution to the market by the end of the year.

About Schmalz
Schmalz is one of the market leaders in automation with vacuum technology as well as ergonomic handling systems. The products of this globally positioned company are utilized in applications across logistics, the automotive industry, electronics sector, and furniture production. The extensive spectrum in the vacuum automation business field includes individual components such as suction pads or vacuum generators, complete gripping systems, and clamping solutions for securing workpieces, for example, on CNC machining centers. In the handling business field, Schmalz offers innovative handling solutions for industry and craftsmanship with vacuum lifters and crane systems. With the energy storage business field, the company is establishing another foothold in the area of stationary energy storage. www.schmalz.com