Pressure to enhance efficiency has been brought to the top of the agenda for many warehouses and fulfilment centres. Spikes and fluctuations in demand have emphasised the need to maximise working capacity and combat increased unpredictability.

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This has resulted in the need for operational predictability. Lithium-ion batteries form a significant part of that solution. Their application in electrical industrial vehicles, including forklifts, helps to reduce down-time, enhance output and improve reliability.

In comparison to alternatives they require less maintenance, offer greater longevity and can improve the environmental footprint of a business, while offering greater safety. The extensive benefits all translate to a significant reduction in operating costs.

Care and maintenance works required for lithium-ion batteries are considerably lower, and in most cases not necessary, accounting for an important reduction in resulting annual TCO compared to other technologies. Unlike flooded lead acid batteries, lithium ion batteries are absolutely maintenance free, accounting for a 100% cost saving related with the labour cost of preventive maintenance staff.

With the impetus on maintaining increased demand across warehouses, operators need to extend the use of their machinery. Lithium-ion helps achieve this reduction in idle time through substantial improvements in speed of charging, and the primary advantage of  the opportunity charging option, when required, with no effect on battery service life. Sunlight’s Li.ON force batteries reach full charge in under an hour and a half, allowing for 3 shift operations without the need for battery change in the middle of the working day.

Using lithium-iron-phosphate offers approximately 4,500 charging cycles, depending on user profile. The added longevity translates to a marked difference on return on investment despite the higher initial purchase cost.

The above mentioned features enhanced by the innovative Battery Monitoring System (BMS) and the Active Balancing mode which is employed both in the charging and discharging cycle allows the equal flow and receipt of energy between the cells, keeping them constantly at the same voltage levels thus optimising the performance and lifecycle of the battery as a system.

Improved energy efficiency results in significantly lower electricity consumption on charge-discharge cycles compared to classic lead acid solutions, combined with zero emissions during operation, attest to enhanced air quality in warehouses – where no dedicated charging room is required.

This speaks to the wider safety standards lithium-ion can help achieve. Sunlight’s battery intelligence extends to cloud computing connectivity, allowing engineers to conduct maintenance remotely and ensures limited downtime.

Dimitris Panagiotou

Senior Sales Manager

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