German firm turns used EV batteries into fridge-sized solar energy storage units
An innovative company is turning used EV batteries into a new energy storage unit. Voltfang is turning such used batteries into fridge-size units. The innovative solution stores excess solar and wind energy for homes and businesses.
The Germany-based company expects that the innovation can help Europe’s biggest economy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and increasingly shift towards climate-friendly renewables.
Voltfang claims that its energy storage system can be used to feed electricity into the grid when needed.
Technicians conduct a complete test of EV batteries
Before turning used EV batteries into new systems, technicians conduct a complete test to find out used cells’ remaining lifespan. If used batteries are found in suitable conditions, these are fitted inside cabinets the size of large refrigerators, which works as giant power banks to store excess electricity.
“Our sustainable battery storage solutions give EV batteries a second life and optimize energy efficiency for industry and commerce,” said the company in a statement.
Voltfang also highlighted that its systems use high-performance, requalified battery modules sourced from the European automotive industry—contributing to energy security and a more resilient energy infrastructure.
Industrial battery storage systems
Called Voltfang 2 and Voltfang 2 Indoor, these solutions work as industrial battery storage systems.
Companies with high energy demands – such as manufacturing firms, agricultural operations, larger office complexes, or charging parks – benefit particularly from this solution. By using a storage system, these businesses can not only reduce their reliance on external suppliers but also significantly lower their carbon footprint, according to Voltfang.
The company claims that for effective use with a PV system, these systems should provide at least 0.8 kWp per 1,000 kWh of annual consumption to ensure sufficient surplus for storage. However, even without a PV system, a commercial energy storage unit is worthwhile: it can be used to make optimal use of dynamic electricity tariffs and to cap peak loads, helping to minimize grid strain and reduce costs.
“We want to ensure European sovereignty in energy supply by enabling renewable energy production through storage,” said CEO David Oudsandji.
“We can generate enormous amounts of electricity from solar and wind energy, then store it in a decentralized way all across Germany and distribute it. This means that the more renewable energy we use, the more storage capacity we deploy, the less we need fossil gas or oil.”
The company revealed that a typical industrial storage system such as the Voltfang 2 Indoor with a rack is almost as big as a refrigerator – around 2.1 m high, 0.8 m wide, and 1.5 m deep. For larger applications, there are modular systems or container solutions. Basically, there are no limits to the size, according to Voltfang.
The company also offers a multi-use system for energy storage enables the simultaneous use of storage systems for different applications.
This means that a battery storage system can be used for emergency power supply, off-grid power supply or as a charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, for example. A multi-use system therefore offers more flexibility and value for the user.