Automaker Daimler AG wants to have a bigger presence in lithium battery technology, and not just for electric vehicle batteries. To that end, it is establishing Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH which will take aim at the growing market for stationary batteries.

Daimler says it started delivering storage batteries in the German market this past April. With the establishment of Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH based in Kamenz/Saxony, the company is now taking another step toward expanding the stationary storage business. International expansion and collaboration with further partners are particularly high on the agenda.

Mercedes-Benz Energy will collaborate with Daimler’s other wholly owned subsidiary, Deutsche ACCUMOTIVE GmbH & Co. KG. ACCUMOTIVE will produce both the stationary and automotive storage systems. The development, sale and installation of stationary applications are the responsibility of Mercedes-Benz Energy.

“The new focus allows us to react with even greater flexibility to our customers’ requirements, and to expand our product portfolio as necessary,” said Harald Kröger, Head of Development Electrics/Electronics and E-Drive at Daimler AG.

“With ACCUMOTIVE, we have built up outstanding expertise in the field of highly efficient battery systems. Their products are already in use in a wide range of our vehicle models. ACCUMOTIVE will successively supply all of our model series from 2017,” said Mr. Kröger.

A total of 330 people are currently employed at the Kamenz facility. Mercedes-Benz Energy is starting with 50 employees and expects that figure to hit 100 perhaps by the end of 2016. T

As a next step, Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH will also start selling its battery storage products internationally. For the development and sale of the storage systems, the company relies on a strong partnership with Mercedes-Benz entities in other countries including the think tank Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America in Silicon Valley, Calif.

The Mercedes-Benz energy storage units are based on the same technology that Daimler has used in its electric and hybrid vehicles since 2012. “By founding Mercedes-Benz Energy GmbH, we are underscoring our ambition to be a technological and market leader in the field of highly efficient storage systems,” said Kröger.

Up to eight battery modules with an energy content of 2.5 kWh each can be combined into an energy storage system with up to 20 kWh. Scalability is many times greater in the field of industrial applications.