15 may 2024

Supply of Zubr Li-Ion traction batteries to Lidskoe Pivo OJSC

The first industrial batteries based on Li-ion technologies from 1AK-GROUP are being tested at enterprises in the telecommunications and engineering industry. The first projects to equip warehouse equipment with traction batteries based on Li-Ion technology have been implemented.

At the beginning of the 21st century, McKinsey Global Institute researchers named 12 breakthrough technologies that will change the world. Alongside cloud technologies and advanced robotics are autonomous vehicles and energy storage technologies. According to experts, by 2027 the volume of the global battery technology market will grow to $135.6 billion, growth by 2022 will be 41%, with an average annual global growth rate of 7.4%.

In the production of rechargeable batteries, lead and lithium technologies are most actively used. Different battery technologies meet the needs of their respective market segments due to their different characteristics and ability to adapt to customer demands. At the same time, energy storage devices based on Li-Ion technologies are characterized by greater energy efficiency and performance compared to lead acid ones.

Holding company 1AK-GROUP is a Belarusian manufacturer of batteries. The company has been in the battery market since 1995, specializing mainly in the production and distribution of batteries for cars and special equipment. Since 2020, the company has introduced assembly and repair services for Li-Ion batteries for electric scooters, bicycles, laptops, and tools.

In 2022, 1AK-GROUP created a department that includes a service center for the repair and assembly of industrial batteries based on Li-ion technology. In 2024, the company launched its own modern assembly production of industrial Li-Ion batteries and formed a center of scientific and production competence, uniting manufacturers and developers of energy storage and storage technologies.

One such example was the project to replace traction lead-acid batteries on 7 Toyota electric forklifts for Lidskoe Pivo OJSC. The operation of warehouse equipment is 24/7, which places high demands on the battery technologies used. When using lead-acid batteries, at least three sets of batteries were required for each loader, and they were regularly replaced during the shift. Charging lead-acid batteries takes 8-10 hours. It requires a special room and trained maintenance personnel, and maintaining a charging log. In addition, lead-acid batteries require regular service to monitor the electrolyte level and timely top up with distilled water, because Violation of the regulations leads to a rapid and significant reduction in the residual capacity and service life of the battery.

Today there are more than 400 types of Li-Ion chemistry. 1AK-GROUP engineers used lithium iron phosphate technology (LFP, LiFePO4) for the Lidskoe Pivo OJSC project as the most promising, well-proven and ensuring maximum safety.

LI-Ion technology allows flexible customization of battery parameters to suit the needs of each client. Battery designs with a nominal voltage of 51.2V (16S), in two capacity options: 500 Ah and 600 Ah, have been developed for the project. These batteries were equipped with powerful chargers that provide a full charge in 2-2.5 hours. LFP technology allows to produce a fractional charge from any remaining level during technological breaks of any duration, directly on the equipment, without removing the battery. This operating mode does not lead to a decrease in the residual capacity and service life of the battery. Charging does not require a charging room, and no maintenance is required during operation. The likelihood of operator error is minimized due to the use of the BMS protection and monitoring system inside the battery.

Viktor Andreikin, product manager of the Li-Ion department at 1AK-GROUP, clarified that in the basic configuration, all industrial Li-Ion batteries produced by 1AK-GROUP are equipped with active cell balancing systems and the ability to connect to the battery via BlueTooth through a special application. This allows us to monitor the battery charge level, charge and discharge currents, temperature, error codes and usage logs. Options may include the installation of a more powerful active balancing system, a heated version (for work in cold warehouses where the temperature does not rise above −20), a sealed version and much more.

The results of cooperation with 1AK-GROUP were commented on by Kazimir Loban, mechanic for repair and maintenance of forklifts and batteries:

— Lidskoe Pivo JSC has been purchasing traction batteries of various brands and manufacturers for warehouse equipment for a long time. In 2024, a batch of ZUBR traction Li-ion batteries and chargers was purchased from 1AK-GROUP. New ZUBR Li-ion batteries were installed on warehouse equipment instead of lead-acid and gel batteries, which had already exhausted their service life. ZUBR lithium-ion batteries are equipped with powerful chargers, which ensures fast battery charging at any convenient time. A full battery charge takes 2-3 hours, unlike lead batteries (7-9 hours). To connect new batteries, no re-equipment of warehouse equipment was required. We installed it in its regular place and secured the charge level indicator in a convenient position. Connect the battery connector to the connector on the electric forklift (electric trolley) and you can work.

— As a result of the replacement, now operators do not need to change the battery during the shift, since there is enough charge to spare. The task of re-equipping warehouse equipment has been successfully completed; we plan to continue working in this direction, since we have a lot of equipment, and its downtime is not cheap.

— 1AK-GROUP specialists monitored the installation and commissioning of the battery, and provided technical support.

We are optimistic about the current partnership and want to continue cooperation with 1AK-GROUP.

Previous article Next article