FAQ
You are interested in energy storage topics, but you are not familiar with SoC, DoD or cycle numbers? Would you like more information on safety or the technical details of our energy storage solutions? Then you have come to the right place!
How can we help you?
Many of our customers ask similar questions. Here we have bundled these questions and explain how everything works. Take a look for yourself – maybe your exact question is included?
About Commeo
- High energy & power density
- Maximum scalability
- 100% industry standard
- Battery 4.0: remote monitoring & smart maintenance
- Open interface for communication with inverters, energy management systems (EMS) and chargers
- Simple, safe installation
- Functional safety:
DIN EN ISO 13849-1:2016-06 - Battery safety:
DIN EN 62619:2017-11 - Electrical safety:
DIN EN 61010-1:2011-07 - Transport safety:
UN38.3 rev. 6 - Low voltage directive:
2014/35/EU - EMC directive:
2014/30/EU
Commeo products are produced and developed in Wallenhorst, which is near Osnabrück. The majority of the individual components are also manufactured in Germany and Europe. In addition, Commeo has several components processed in the workshops of Heilpädagogische Hilfe Osnabrück e.V. (an organisation that provides special education in Osnabrück).
This topic can be considered from two points of view. On the one hand, lithium-ion batteries can help protect the environment by using them for the temporary storage of the energy generated by photovoltaic and wind power plants. This means they do not have to run “empty” when the grid capacity is overloaded, and can no longer absorb any more electricity. On the other hand, the Commeo energy storage blocks have been developed in a way that usually allows them to be dismantled into their individual component materials, therefore greatly simplifying the recycling of the individual components. Commeo will also play an active role in optimising “Made in Germany“ cell technologies in the battery cell research factory.
Safety
When handled correctly, Commeo battery systems are not dangerous. Commeo has implemented a multi-level security system in the battery systems. Due to
- a robust aluminium housing,
- relays,
- safety fuses,
- a self-developed intelligent battery management system (BMS) in each energy storage block, which monitors cell temperatures, cell voltages, flows and other safety-relevant parameters,
- the central control unit for monitoring and shutting down the energy storage blocks
and other safety mechanisms, Commeo products are state-of-the-art.
- Functional safety:
DIN EN ISO 13849-1:2016-06 - Battery safety:
DIN EN 62619:2017-11 - Electrical safety:
DIN EN 61010-1:2011-07 - Transport safety:
UN38.3 rev. 6 - Low voltage directive:
2014/35/EU - EMC directive:
2014/30/EU
All fully assembled Commeo energy storage systems, along with the individual energy storage blocks, feature full touch protection.
You will find other standards and directives that our products comply with in our product brochures:
The Commeo energy storage block, along with the Commeo energy storage cabinet, feature protection class IP20 when set up as a free-standing system. However, the Commeo energy storage rack can also achieve higher protection ratings with the corresponding standard accessories.
Talk to us and we will develop a concept for your specific requirements.
Battery disposal
As an energy storage blocks manufacturer, we are obliged under the Battery Act (BattG) to inform you about the handling of our batteries or accumulators. Irrespective of the legal obligation, we consider the instructions listed here to be principles of responsible corporate management, since the correct handling of batteries and rechargeable batteries contributes significantly to environmental protection.
- You as the end user are legally obligated to return used batteries.
- As a manufacturer, we are obliged to take back the batteries produced after use – you can therefore return the used energy storage blocks to Commeo free of charge.
- Commeo energy storage blocks must not be disposed of with household waste.
Our energy storage blocks are marked with the symbol of the crossed-out trash can. This symbol means that the product must not be disposed of as unsorted waste in household waste, but must be returned to appropriate collection points for reuse and recycling. All electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the EU must bear this marking.
- If not stored or disposed of properly, harmful substances contained in the used battery can cause damage to the environment and health.
- Raw materials contained in the battery, some of which are rare, such as iron, zinc, manganese or nickel, can be recycled through proper disposal measures. For this purpose, Commeo cooperates with renowned recycling companies, thus creating the basis for recycling efficiency that far exceeds the legal requirements.
The return of used energy storage blocks is generally free of charge, i.e. Commeo will not charge you for the return.
However, any costs incurred for delivery or collection by Commeo are not affected by this.
Contact our customer service to organize the return of your used Commeo energy storage blocks!
Technical details
The Commeo energy storage blocks have standardised external dimensions and interfaces. The battery cells inside the blocks, however, can be interconnected in a number of different ways and different conductivities can be achieved. As a result, the Commeo modular system contains blocks designed for both parallel and serial connection. In addition, the cell chemistry of the energy storage block can also be tailored to customer requirements. This provides the energy storage blocks with a unique modular design and plug-in capabilities. Depending on the application requirements, the energy content, capacity, number of cycles and voltage level of the battery system can be flexibly adjusted.
Connection options for the Commeo energy storage blocks:
The Commeo battery systems can be individually configured between a nominal voltage of 48 V and 800 V.
You can find all technical data in our brochures and technical data sheets, or you can assemble your system directly with our configurator:
The insulation is precisely matched so that the battery system itself does not need to be earthed. The standard industrial cabinet is earthed, as usual in the switch cabinet design.
Each Commeo battery system features a higher-level control unit that processes and consolidates the information from all energy storage blocks and makes it available to downstream system components (EMS, inverters, etc.). This makes it possible to monitor and check the condition of the entire battery system at any time.
48 V systems:
The Commeo ccu48V control unit offers a CAN bus and an Ethernet interface that provides the status information of the battery system. In addition, some chargers can be controlled directly from the control unit.
High-voltage systems:
The Commeo ccuHV control unit also features a Battery Disconnect Unit (BDU), which disconnects the load contacts in case of a fault.
Commeo batteries can be continuously discharged from 2C to 3C and continuously charged from 0.5C to 1C, depending on the selected cell chemistry.
Glossary
State of Charge = how “full“ the battery is (in %)
The SoC describes the charge state of a cell or battery. It is calculated using algorithms and is defined as the quotient of the currently available residual discharge capacity and the maximum available residual discharge capacity at the upper operating voltage limit.
State of Health (in %)
Battery cells age over time and cycles. This process can be faster or slower depending on ambient conditions and cell load. The ageing process results in lower usable capacity. The SoH is defined as the quotient of the maximum available residual discharge capacity at the upper operating voltage limit and the nominal discharge capacity.
Depth of Discharge (in %)
The Depth of Discharge describes a battery’s depth of discharge.
The Commeo energy storage blocks have a maximum possible DoD of 100%.
State of Power = available charging and discharging capacity
The SoP describes the available charging and discharging capacity of the battery system taking into account the present current, temperature and other conditions.
Nickel manganese cobalt oxide
This is the electrochemically active cathode material inside the lithium-ion cell. The name of the cathode or anode material is usually used to distinguish the different lithium-ion cell chemistries. The NMC variant combines high energy density, high performance and long service life. These three and many other parameters vary according to cell chemistry.
Another variant of the lithium-ion cell would be iron phosphate (LFP), for example.
The C rate describes how quickly a battery can be discharged. The higher the value, the faster the battery can be completely discharged.
At a C rate of 1C, for example, the battery is completely discharged in one hour. At 0.5C, it takes twice as long (2 hours), and at 2C it only takes half as long (½ hour).
A full cycle of a battery describes its complete charging and discharging with 100% depth of discharge. Partial discharges or partial charges are combined into full cycles using algorithms.
