At the logistics centre of Rhenus Contract Logistics AG in Basel, energy efficiency is the primary goal. Not only is the site certified to ISO 14001, but it is also part of the Basel SME initiative. Prerequisites for membership include a comprehensive environmental management system and continuous measures for improvement – including for the internal flow of goods. With innovative battery charging technology from Fronius, the company has dramatically reduced the energy consumption of its fleet of electrically-powered forklift trucks and optimised the charging process at the same time. The flexible and reliable system also reduces workload and guarantees a longer useful life for the lead batteries.

Rhenus operates a fleet of 24 electricallypowered forklift trucks. A central charging station is available for charging the traction batteries.
Rhenus operates a fleet of 24 electricallypowered forklift trucks. A central charging station is available for charging the traction batteries.

Efficiency has always been a crucial sales argument in the intralogistics sector. But it is not just about speed; another important factor for suppliers and customers is that the relevant goods are transported from A to B in the most cost-effective manner possible. This means that more attention is being paid to the energy consumed by logistics processes. Companies are also bound by European law to put stricter measures in place for reducing energy consumption, in order to counter climate change and to secure Europe as an industrial powerhouse for the long-term.

The flexible devices can charge various types of battery. Forklift trucks and battery charging systems are numbered for easy assignment.
The flexible devices can charge various types of battery. Forklift trucks and battery charging systems are numbered for easy assignment.

A real institution of the European logistics scene is the Rhenus Group. The global service provider based in Holzwickede, North Rhine- Westphalia has over 460 sites for its various business areas and a workforce of roughly 25,000 employees – including those in the Swiss canton of Basel. The Basel site has around 40 employees specialising in contract logistics for many different customers. Various types of merchandise from the nonfood sector can be found on almost 10,000 pallets and 35,000 storage locations, such as sports equipment, toys or household items. A fleet of 24 electrically-powered forklift trucks manage the internal flow of materials, with vehicles from manufacturers Jungheinrich, Linde and Still in use.

“With technology from Fronius, we were able to dramatically reduce the energy consumption of our forklift truck fleet.” Silvio Kellenberger (right), head of the warehousing department at Rhenus Contract Logistics, and Reto Baumgartner, Sales Advisor for Battery Charging Systems at Fronius Switzerland.
“With technology from Fronius, we were able to dramatically reduce the energy consumption of our forklift truck fleet.” Silvio Kellenberger (right), head of the warehousing department at Rhenus Contract Logistics, and Reto Baumgartner, Sales Advisor for Battery Charging Systems at Fronius Switzerland.

Enormous potential for savings during the charging process

As part of the environmental management process, Rhenus took a closer look at its fleet of forklift trucks to discover that considerable savings could be made in terms of energy consumption and process efficiency. When searching for a way to optimise the charging process, the managers at Rhenus Contract Logistics soon came across Fronius. The leader in battery charging technology with headquarters in Pettenbach, Upper Austria, has developed a solution for increasing the efficiency of the charging process and the service life of the traction batteries with the new generation of Selectiva devices. “The secret is the new Ri charging process, which adapts to each individual battery,” explains Reto Baumgartner, Sales Advisor for Battery Charging Systems at Fronius Switzerland. “The charging characteristic is determined by the battery’s effective inner resistance, which in turn is dependent on the age, temperature and state of charge of the battery.” This minimises the overcharging responsible for high energy losses and harmful warming of the battery, thereby reducing energy consumption and ensuring a longer service life.

Since August 2015, Rhenus has been using twelve Selectiva devices from Fronius, which have been a resounding success. “We were able to dramatically increase the efficiency of the charging process,” says Silvio Kellenberger, head of the warehousing department at Rhenus Contract Logistics. The devices (with an output of 1 to 8 kW) are flexible and can charge various types of battery. Forklift trucks and battery charging systems are numbered for straightforward assignment, which helps prevent errors. “The charging process now takes place as required, rather than at specific times,” reveals Kellenberger. “This means that we no longer need a battery charging system for each forklift truck; we actually need half as many.” At the same time, the availability of the forklift trucks has increased considerably – an important step in optimising processes at the logistics centre.

An important step in the direction of increased efficiency

Kellenberger enthuses about the advantages of the Ri charging process: “Gentle charging has enabled us to dramatically reduce the energy consumption of our forklift truck fleet. The process also protects our batteries, which in turn extends their service lives.” This is evident from the operating costs, as the expensive traction batteries need to be replaced less often. The new technology is much more reliable and has reduced the workload. The clear and flexible system simplifies operation, resulting in noticeable time savings. The gentle charging process also reduces the amount of water lost from the batteries, meaning that employees do not have to top them up as often. “The Fronius devices help us to meet the high demands that we place on ourselves with our ISO certification and membership of the Basel SME initiative,” says warehouse manager Kellenberger, clearly impressed. “Thanks to our good experiences with Fronius, we would also be interested in a collaboration at our other company sites.”

FRONIUS PERFECT CHARGING
Tel: 01908 512300

Email: perfect.charging@fronius.com

www.fronius.com/intralogistics

Comments are closed.