Tesvolt Gigafactory in Wittenberg. Image source: Tesvolt
German battery and energy storage systems maker Tesvolt GmbH is to build what it claims will be the first battery storage factory in Europe with a capacity of over 1 GWh annually. The gigafactory is being constructed in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, in the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany.
In a statement, Tesvolt said that innovations in productions processes ensure that the storage systems can be mass produced flexibly and efficiently. The multi-million euro project is largely self-funded, with just 10% coming from EU support. The offices, warehouse and production line will be powered completely by solar energy.
The first phase, which covers a factory floor space of 12,000 square metres, is expected to be completed in June. By completion of the final phase, for which an estimated time frame has not yet been given, annual production will have exceeded 1 GWh in a 20,000 square metre area.
“The world market for stationary energy storage systems has already reached a total capacity of 16 GWh. Europeans are calling for an end to harmful coal-fired power plants and diesel scandals. They want a future free of environmental disasters,” says Tesvolt co-founder Daniel Hannemann. “We want the gigafactory to be our contribution to reaching this goal, making clean and affordable energy possible anywhere in the world.”
The technology for the factory’s new semi-automated production line comes from teamtechnik, a mechanical engineering company known for equipping many reputable automobile manufacturers with production and testing lines. Every battery module will be automatically tested for full functionality, and data from each process step will be recorded for seamless retracing capability.
The gigafactory is designed for the fully carbon-neutral production of Tesvolt battery storage systems. A photovoltaic installation with a 200 kWp power output will supply the electricity needed for the offices and storage system production. Any excess electrical energy will be stored in the factory’s own Tesvolt batteries, which will have a capacity of 350 kWh. Tesvolt will also employ innovative high-temperature heating pump technology, reliant exclusively on a natural refrigerant, so that even the facility’s heating system will run on solar power.
The building complex will also house the new office spaces, which are set to be occupied in June. A year ago, Tesvolt introduced an agile organisation structure without hierarchies. Any and all decisions are made as a team. “Our new office layout reflects this — a generous, open floor plan complemented with many collaboration spaces and quiet zones. We want everyone to feel comfortable here. For us, that is work 2.0,” says co-founder Simon Schandert. “We don’t want to mindlessly process; we want to create innovative solutions. The agile organisation makes us more efficient, enabling us to better respond to the rapidly changing battery market.”
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