This nearly two basketball courts-sized installation embodies Porsche's "Second Life" concept, which was devised in Stuttgart by their Environmental and Energy Management team. The project not only aims to provide insights into smarter energy supply for automotive plants but also demonstrates Porsche's commitment to environmental and business sustainability.
The "Second Life" concept was initiated by Alwin Schmid, Head of Electrical Engineering at Porsche. It focuses on repurposing used high-voltage batteries from electric vehicles. The Leipzig energy storage facility serves as a proof of concept for this initiative, pushing the envelope in industrial resource recycling and efficiency.
Porsche collaborated with the University of Applied Sciences Zwickau to establish the feasibility of this project. Their studies confirmed the viability of using Taycan batteries for crucial tasks like peak load capping at the Leipzig plant. The implemented system can optimize self-consumption and participate effectively in the energy market.
Jonathan Dietrich, Project Manager, emphasized that the system is designed to boost economic efficiency and self-sufficiency at the Leipzig site through sustainable methods. "We wanted to create electricity storage capacities for the Leipzig plant in order to make the site even more economical and to increase its degree of self-sufficiency," Dietrich stated. This strategy fits within Porsche's broader goal to enhance both business efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Technically speaking, the storage system boasts a capacity of 5 megawatts and contains enough energy content for 10 megawatt hours of usage. It can handle up to a 20% overload for short periods and is designed with a lifespan exceeding ten years. Notably, its modular design allows for individual battery module replacements.
This system works in tandem with a sizeable solar energy output from the plant itself, pegged at 9.4 megawatts. Features such as peak shaving effectively reduce grid charges while its integration into the balancing energy market bolsters grid stability.
Porsche’s commitment towards sustainability is evident across various fronts; since 2021, multiple production sites including Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen and Leipzig have achieved carbon neutrality. A mix of renewables powers these locations backed by initiatives like district heating from biomass at Leipzig.
Source: Porsche