JT Energy Systems opens 25 MW battery storage facility

JT Energy Systems, a joint venture between battery manufacturer Triathlon and Jungheinrich AG, will in future store mainly renewable electricity in its Freiberg battery storage facility. In phases of oversupply, the electricity will be stored and later fed back into the grid as needed. "Especially in view of the current energy shortage, we need efficient ways to store regenerative energy. Our mega-battery is the ideal solution for this. The storage system helps stabilize energy prices and make a success of the energy turnaround," says Reinhild Kühne, Managing Director of JT Energy Systems.

The energy storage system consists of over 10,000 battery modules. A large part of these come from used lithium-ion batteries, which are reused after their successful application, mainly in electric forklifts, but also in the automotive sector. "Lithium-ion batteries can generally be used for longer than the electric vehicles in which they are installed. Stationary energy storage systems like the one we have in Freiberg are the logical consequence in order to continue to use the batteries sensibly for a long time to come," says Kühne.

The continued use of lithium-ion batteries after they have been used in electric vehicles, usually for many years, is a particularly efficient, sustainable and resource-saving contribution to the energy transition. JT Energy Systems analyzes the condition of the used energy modules, classifies them with the help of AI, and refurbishes them if necessary. In keeping with the idea of a circular economy, this ensures the maximum useful life for the resources and raw materials used in the batteries. According to Kühne, "Due to the rapidly increasing share of electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries over the past few years, JT Energy Systems anticipates a growing number of battery capacities in the future that will be used for a second life in stationary storage."

JT Energy Systems was jointly founded in 2019 by battery manufacturer Triathlon and Hamburg-based intralogistics specialist Jungheinrich. The joint venture produces energy systems for electric vehicles with industrial applications. Based in Freiberg, Saxony, the company serves the rapidly growing demand for innovative and sustainable energy and battery systems. The company has particular expertise in the repair and reconditioning of used lithium-ion batteries. In classifying and evaluating the remaining life of the batteries, the company relies on the know-how of Dresden-based NOVUM engineering GmbH as an expert in AI-based battery monitoring.

The battery storage facility in Freiberg was planned and built by the locally based partner company TRICERA energy GmbH. The company specializes in stationary storage technology and industrial storage solutions. JT Energy Systems and its shareholders Jungheinrich and Triathlon are taking an important step in the consistent implementation of their sustainability strategy by investing in this technology of the future.