The automotive supplier MAHLE is entering the market of stationary battery storage systems with a first series order for a cooling module. These storage solutions are used, for example, in containers for the provision and stabilization of power grids as well as for the temporary storage of renewable energies such as wind and solar power. This is a market that will continue to grow in importance as the demand for energy increases, for example for data centers. The customer is an international commercial vehicles and drivetrain manufacturer that builds its own battery storage systems and, for this order, trusts the proven expertise of MAHLE. The technology group is drawing on its experience in the development and production of cooling modules such as for electrified buses. The newly developed cooling module will go into series production in 2026.
“We can easily transfer the knowledge of cooling modules we have gathered in the transportation sector to stationary battery storage system in containers,” said Christian Kuechlin, Vice President MAHLE Industrial Thermal Systems. “Since the space in the container is mainly to be used for battery stacks, MAHLE develops space saving, compact and efficient cooling solutions in line with customer requirements.”
In the past, stationary battery storage systems were cooled by simple air conditioning systems, i.e. with air. Since the use of high-performance lithium-ion batteries increases the energy density in steady-state battery storage systems and therefore generates more waste heat, a significantly higher cooling capacity is required. The MAHLE module supplies up to 42 kilowatts (kW), that is required in this case, with liquid cooling.
“Our cooling module enables battery operation in the optimal temperature range of 20 to 30°C, which ensures a long service life and high durability for the energy storage system, as well as stable load management,” said Kuechlin. With MAHLE’s broad component and system competency this module achieves market leading compactness and scalability.
The technology group is increasingly developing new business areas beyond the automotive sector in order to establish a more diversified positioning. In the field of industrial thermal management, MAHLE is already developing modules for liquid-cooled cables in fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. High-performance computing and data centers as well as manufacturers of heat pumps or photovoltaic systems can also benefit from thermal management technologies.