Jungheinrich AG in cooperation with MGL METRO GROUP Logistics is pressing ahead with developing sustainable technologies in the logistics branch. Environment-preserving trucks from Jungheinrich are thus ensuring the smooth order of logistics processes in the new Fish Logistics Centre of the MGL METRO GROUP Logistics in the Hessian Gross-Gerau. Both companies are at this location testing the efficient application of wind energy.
 
Processes at the MGL METRO GROUP Logistics site in Gross-Gerau are not only extremely efficient but also environment-friendly. The building completed last year was awarded the “German seal of quality for effective construction“. Jung¬hein¬rich and MGL are testing the efficient use of wind energy for fork lift truck operations at this site. The current for charging the battery-operated fork lift trucks is generated by a state-of-the-art wind power plant directly on site. The vertically installed type in Gross-Gerau (Hesse) generates current of approximately 9,000 kilowatt hours per annum.

“As the wind power plant can generate current around the clock, the efficient utilisation of this technology therefore requires an adequate number of energy storage facilities“, comments Peter Kaleck, Head of Process Management and Engineering at MGL METRO GROUP Logistics. Due to the large number of battery-operated fork lift trucks at MGL, there is sufficient storage capacity available on site for this purpose.

“The level of charge in the battery can be monitored at any time thanks to the use of a special battery controller”, explains Gerrit Driessen, Jungheinrich Sales, who is actively involved in this project. The controller is fitted on top of the battery and able to monitor the situation permanently.

An optimised battery management will also be possible in the future. “Logistics experts today usually include a second battery per truck in their calculation for safety reasons”, says Driessen. By utilising the energy controller, the number of batteries is calculated to reduce from 1.8 to 1.2 per truck in future. Gerrit Driessen continues: “The ecological approach of our cooperation in Gross-Gerau could be directional for the entire branch – primarily where many fork lift trucks are in operation.”

Jungheinrich ranks among the world’s leading companies in the material handling equipment, warehousing and material flow engineering sectors. The company is a service provider with manufacturing operations as well as an intralogistics solution provider, which offers its customers a comprehensive range of forklift trucks, shelving systems, services and consulting. Jungheinrich shares are traded on all German stock exchanges.