Innovative electricity storage technology activated at group headquarters

Innovative electricity storage technology activated at group headquarters

With the official activation of Elestor’s hydrogen bromide flow battery, our group of companies has taken its first steps to expand its smart grid in Kampen with a sustainable and cost-effective electricity storage technology.

It enables the machine builder to take an important step in fully self-generating the electricity the company needs.
The installation at the headquarters is intended to demonstrate on a limited scale, that the HBr flow battery, developed inhouse by Elestor, is cost-effective for companies. The technology can thus contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and achieving climate targets.

First commercial placement of Elestor HBr flow battery

The installation in Kampen (NL) is the first commercial placement that Elestor makes. From 2019 onwards, the storage capacity will be expanded. This allows us to be self-sufficient in energy needs, even when its own smart grid does not generate sufficient electricity, for a long period of time. An HBr flow battery makes energy storage more economical and environmentally friendly, compared to existing technologies such as lithium-ion batteries. The economic yield of, for example, solar panels and windmills, is much higher due to the storage capacity. This makes it more attractive for more companies to invest in sustainable energy generation and storage.

Smart grid at our headquarters in Kampen

Because we have a smart grid with, among other things, 1,700 solar panels, two heat pumps and a wood chip boiler, our headquarters offers Elestor perfect conditions for applying its innovative energy storage technology. Hester Kuypers, board member: “Worldwide we are faced with an enormous task when it comes to the energy transition. By only installing more solar panels and windmills, we will not make the switch to sustainable energy. Making electricity storage affordable is therefore a necessity and Elestor’s technology brings it within reach. We think, it is important that we, as an international company, can demonstrate that it works!”

Pleased with pioneering rol of ITM

Guido Dalessi, director of Elestor: “We are very pleased with the cooperation of ITM. Everyone is willing to buy the fiftieth installation of a proven technique; but the first sales are often much more difficult. ITM fulfils a pioneering role in scaling up our technology. In addition, the company has plenty of technical experts who want to share their knowledge with us. They think along with us to further optimize this innovative way of storing electricity.”

Aiming to minimize our ecological footprint

As a family business, we strive to minimize its ecological footprint. In addition to investing in sustainable energy, it supply’s electric bikes and cars for daily traffic of employees, and it is keeping bees on the company premises. Kuypers: “As a global player, we want all our sites to operate as energy-neutral as possible, in ten different countries and we are happy to support our approximately 1,200 employees in realizing sustainable solutions. In this way we not only leave a beautiful company to future generations, but hopefully also a world as beautiful as possible.”

Based on this vision, the collaboration with Elestor has come about smoothly. Since 2014, the company has been working on the further development of cost-effective storage for electricity.