Article

German startup Voltfang has inaugurated a commercial second-life battery factory in Aachen, claiming it to be the largest in Europe. The facility will repurpose used lithium batteries for renewable energy storage, catering to homes with solar panels, businesses with wind energy, and the public grid during low renewable output.

Voltfang aims to produce enough systems to store 1 GWh of electricity annually by 2030, equivalent to the annual consumption of 300 households. Clients include Aldi Nord, which plans to store solar energy from its store rooftops.

In 2024, renewables accounted for nearly 60% of Germany's electricity, with a target of 80% by 2030. The stationary storage market in Germany grew to 6 GWh in 2024, and Voltfang's factory could meet 5% of the expected market demand by 2030. However, the European battery sector faces challenges, including competition from cheaper new models and limited supply from electric vehicles.