We accelerate Sustainability with smart Battery Storage
Our distribution center in Gennep recently implemented a large-scale battery storage system.
The commissioning of the battery marks a new phase in Arvato's sustainability process, which aims to operate completely climate-neutral by 2030. The battery solution in conjunction with an intelligent energy control system increases the sustainability of the site, as the storage solution allows additional solar panels to be installed, thus overcoming the challenge of grid overload in particular. The integrated solution was developed by Groendus in cooperation with grid operator Enexis.
Maximum utilization of renewable energy
In recent years, more than 27,000 solar panels have already been installed on Arvato's roof at the site in Gennep. With the expansion of the distribution center, this number has increased to almost 40,000 panels, good for over 15,000 MWh of annual generation. This corresponds to the energy consumption of about 5,400 households. Due to grid congestion, feed-in of this extra solar power was not possible. Thanks to an administrative merger of six connections, realized with Enexis, Arvato can now generate more energy and use all the power optimally.
Battery storage and smart control
The new battery, with a capacity of 6.45 MWh, is controlled via Groendus' energy management system (EMS). This stores solar energy and later deploys it strategically, for example, at night for charging electric vehicles. In addition, the battery is used to generate revenue through the electricity and balancing markets, contributing to the financial viability of the solution.
Together, the optimizations ensure that Arvato’s 228,000 square meter large site runs on self-generated power more than 60% of the time. The rest is purchased as green as possible through the Groendus Energy Marketplace, through concluded contracts with Dutch wind farms. The CO₂ savings of the total solution, compared to traditional energy procurement from the grid's gray energy mix, is estimated to be over 1,600 tons per year. That is comparable to the emissions from 2,000 intercontinental round-trip flights or the annual consumption of 1,300 cars.
Innovation through collaboration
“This partnership is a step forward in making our site more energy-resilient and future-ready,” says Marcel Orth, Operations Excellence Manager at Arvato. “Thanks to this solution of solar panels, batteries and smart steering of energy, we can better coordinate production and consumption of solar energy within our site, which enables us to make a three-pronged effort. 1: A strong contribution to our climate objective (climate neutral in 2030). 2: Manage energy costs and 3: Reduce strain on the power grid.”
“Arvato shows how companies can remain sustainable despite grid congestion,” adds Erik van der Ende, CEO of the Kenter Groendus Group. “We have developed the system in such a way that we can grow along with the further sustainability of Arvato's operation. Think, for example, of the future smart charging of electric trucks, forklifts and robots.”