MAHLE, the global automotive supplier, is expanding into the stationary battery storage market with its first series order for a newly developed cooling module. These systems are essential for stabilizing power grids and temporarily storing renewable energy from sources like wind and solar. Demand for such solutions is growing rapidly, particularly for applications like data centers.
The client—an international manufacturer of commercial vehicles and drivetrains—will use MAHLE’s cooling technology in its own battery storage systems, recognizing the company’s strong track record in thermal management, including in electrified buses. Series production of the cooling module is set to begin in 2026.
“We can easily transfer the knowledge of cooling modules we have gathered in the transportation sector to stationary battery storage system in containers,” said Christian Kuechlin, Vice President MAHLE Industrial Thermal Systems. “Since the space in the container is mainly to be used for battery stacks, MAHLE develops space saving, compact and efficient cooling solutions in line with customer requirements.”
In the past, stationary battery storage systems were cooled by simple air conditioning systems, i.e. with air. Since the use of high-performance lithium-ion batteries increases the energy density in steady-state battery storage systems and therefore generates more waste heat, a significantly higher cooling capacity is required. The MAHLE module supplies up to 42 kilowatts (kW), that is required in this case, with liquid cooling.
“Our cooling module enables battery operation in the optimal temperature range of 20 to 30°C, which ensures a long service life and high durability for the energy storage system, as well as stable load management,” said Kuechlin. With MAHLE’s broad component and system competency this module achieves market leading compactness and scalability.
The technology group is increasingly developing new business areas beyond the automotive sector in order to establish a more diversified positioning. In the field of industrial thermal management, MAHLE is already developing modules for liquid-cooled cables in fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. High-performance computing and data centers as well as manufacturers of heat pumps or photovoltaic systems can also benefit from thermal management technologies.
