Denios has established Denios energy, an independent business unit focused on stationary battery storage. The company combines its existing solutions for the safe storage of hazardous materials and lithium batteries with storage technology for commercial applications.
Markus Boberg, Sales Manager for Hazardous Materials Storage Technology at Denios SE, and Dirk Willing, Business Unit Manager of Denios energy, explain how the product portfolio has evolved over the years. Denios was founded 40 years ago with the goal of protecting people and the environment from harm caused by hazardous materials. Products for the safe storage and handling of hazardous substances have been part of its core product line ever since. In container manufacturing, the company relies on fire protection systems for flammable substances that have undergone fire tests and approval procedures.
Portfolio Development
In 2018, Denios expanded its offerings to include solutions for lithium battery safety. Solutions such as the F 90 cabinet and the REI 90 container were adapted to the stored materials and supplemented with emergency equipment—such as pressure relief and a fire suppression system to cool the lithium batteries. In 2022, Denios introduced the walk-in Power Safe, the first commercial storage solution integrated into a container. This system has received structural certifications for fire protection (ETA) and water protection (DIBt).
Boberg describes the background as follows: “When regulatory requirements mandate structural fire protection, operators are often left with no choice but to maintain large safety distances or undertake major structural modifications.” The fire-resistant containers are flexible and can be installed in close proximity to buildings as well as in water protection areas. They also reduce noise emissions.
Combination of Storage and Safety Concept
Dirk Willing has been the division manager at Denios energy since early May and sees the new unit’s mission not in developing new battery technology, but in combining standardized storage systems with safety and environmental concepts. “With the combination of a proven fire-resistant container and a ready-to-use all-in-one storage system, we have a solution for all of this,” says Willing. Denios supplies either complete systems or individual system components.
The technical safety requirements for stored lithium batteries and stationary battery storage systems are very similar. However, storage systems also include additional components such as battery racks, inverters, and EMS. Denios energy therefore aims to bring together storage solutions, safety concepts, and consulting on applications and business models.
One of its current products is the Plug & Play Power Safe. The system is based on a standardized modular design available in various sizes. Containers and battery storage units are delivered as ready-made system components and assembled only at the point of use. Solutions range from 500 kWh up to large-scale storage systems that can be scaled. Each container forms its own safety zone, so the safety concept does not need to be updated as energy demand grows.
Denios energy has announced plans to build a partner network in the coming years. Battery storage systems are viewed as part of a more comprehensive energy strategy in which generation and consumption are integrated and controlled.