Energy Storage Cabinet The Standard for Energy Storage

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At this year's Smart Automation in Linz (Austria), Rittal introduced the VX ESS, a standard enclosure that can be equipped with battery modules. Helmut Ritter, Product and Industry Manager at Rittal Austria, explained to us what this is all about and how much potential this product holds.

The energy storage cabinets VX ESS are based on the freestanding cabinet of the VX series. How did the idea even come about to use an enclosure for battery storage for batteries?

The idea of developing energy storage cabinets arose from the growing demand for sustainable energy storage, particularly for electricity from renewable sources. The energy storage market, originally driven by photovoltaic systems, urgently needed a solution to efficiently store surplus electricity. In Europe, the industry initially held a strong market leadership in this sector, but it declined with the shift of battery module production to the Far East. In Europe, storage systems from the Far East were then assembled into cabinets that were individually designed—bent here, styled with colors there. Over time, the cost of storage systems continued to drop, but the designed cabinets did not—making them too expensive in relation to the product. Such a designer control cabinet is no longer attractive. The challenge was ultimately to develop cost-effective cabinets.

How did Rittal come to develop the energy storage cabinet?

Rittal has taken on this challenge and turned the designer cabinet into a standard cabinet—which is Rittal's strength. To achieve this, we surveyed all battery storage manufacturers about the size and weight of their batteries. The goal was to design a flexible standard cabinet that can accommodate over 80 percent of the storage modules available on the market. The framework is a standard VX cabinet, but the interior has been designed to be so flexible that it is height-adjustable, laterally adjustable, and depth-adjustable. We can accommodate up to 1,500 kilograms of battery modules. Using the rail system, an average of 16 modules can theoretically fit into the cabinet. This concept is now being made available to our customers worldwide because battery or module suppliers from the Far East do not ship cabinets with their products.

Are there no cabinets there?

No, that's neither logistically nor financially feasible. Additionally, the IEC 62208 is a European standard for enclosures, defining requirements such as impact resistance, temperature durability, and material properties. This presents a hurdle for manufacturers from the Far East, which is why they no longer ship enclosures. At Rittal, we have the ability in every subsidiary, at every location, and in every warehouse to deliver the cabinet directly to the customer, allowing them to install their battery elements. This significantly shortens the supply chain. Our systems are available worldwide.

Can it also be arranged like a regular control cabinet?

The Rittal energy storage cabinet is based on the proven VX-25 modular system, providing the option to expand the system as needed. So yes, the cabinets can be interconnected. Sometimes, these control cabinets need to be modified on-site, and thanks to their stability, they can easily be transported with a forklift or lifted using mounting eyelets. This is especially useful when the cabinets need to be positioned in hard-to-reach locations.

Are there differences compared to a conventional control cabinet?

No, the energy storage cabinet was developed to be based on a standard system that uses just nine components. The cabinet frame is available in two widths and depths—600 and 800 millimeters (approx. 24 and 30 inches)—resulting in 600 × 600 (approx. 24 × 24), 800 × 800 (approx. 30 × 30), and 600 × 800 (approx. 24 × 30)configurations. The height is always 2,000 millimeters (approx. 80 inches). The interior is then built upon this base, with a door and a rear panel added. That is the entire system.

Do I need additional ventilation if the cabinet is full?

Fundamentally, the energy storage cabinet, as a standard cabinet with standard interior, is individually expandable. The VX cabinet is designed as a passively ventilated standard enclosure, and it’s important to note: an efficient battery storage system should emit as little heat as possible, as heat emission indicates energy loss. Storage manufacturers naturally focus on minimizing losses so that their systems require as little cooling as possible. Otherwise, they would need to supply external energy or utilize their own, which would be counterproductive.

How do you assess the potential for these cabinets, especially in Europe?

The potential for energy storage cabinets in Europe is immense, particularly in connection with the rising demand for e-mobility and the use of renewable energies. The necessity to store energy temporarily for efficient distribution to charging stations or industrial applications calls for innovative storage solutions, as the grids are often too weak. The expansion of charging stations along highways with hyperchargers and their integration into private households and industries make energy storage cabinets an essential part of the future energy infrastructure, as there is nothing more to gain from the energy generated.

You showcased the energy storage cabinet at the Hannover Messe (German trade fair) and now at the Smart Automation (Austrian trade fair). Have you received any feedback on the product yet?

Yes, we have already received initial feedback and concrete project inquiries in collaboration with leading battery manufacturers and innovative start-ups. Over a year and a half ago, we reached out to battery manufacturers and storage suppliers to present our systems. As a result, several concrete projects are already underway. Companies such as Kite Rise Technologies from Graz and Salzstrom from Vienna, which focus on sodium-ion technology and saltwater batteries respectively, now include the Rittal energy storage cabinet as a standard component for their systems. They assemble the energy storage system using the standard cabinets and their battery systems from the available components.

Are there already companies in the industry or mechanical engineering sector using such storage systems?

Yes, especially industrial companies that rely on renewable energies and, for example, already use photovoltaics. An industrial company that produces from Monday to Friday has to sell its solar power at the lowest price on Saturday and Sunday—that’s almost a third of the year. These companies are now turning to energy storage: they purchase the storage module and already know where to buy control cabinets. The prices for energy storage systems are therefore continuing to decrease, making the investment in storage increasingly attractive for many companies. And this is the path we at Rittal must also follow with our energy storage cabinets.

The person handling control cabinet work in a company is not necessarily responsible for installing battery storage systems. Does this product target a new audience?

The target group is complex, as the use of energy storage systems varies across companies and industries. Whether it's technical departments, maintenance managers, energy officers, or CEOs—finding the right contact person can be challenging. That’s why Rittal places great emphasis on providing comprehensive information at trade fairs and events to make the product accessible to the widest possible audience. In personal discussions, it then becomes clear who the right contact person is. From my experience, the right person is always involved by the second meeting.

A look into the future: Is an ecosystem with storage providers planned, perhaps with "certified partners"?

That is not planned. Rittal focuses on treating every battery manufacturer as an equal partner: through an open approach to collaborating with as many battery producers as possible. Because only with many partners can we receive the necessary feedback to help us with further development.

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