In its anniversary year, Phoenix Contact is investing in the power supply of tomorrow with Building 60
Phoenix Contact is investing 35 million euros in a production and technology center in Blomberg, Germany. Furthermore, the building, numbered 60, will provide 18,485 square meters of new floor space for 400 workstations. The center demonstrates the unique networking of energy, mobility, infrastructure, and building sectors, offering a blueprint for scalable solutions. The building will integrate thermal energy into a heating network using heat pumps and a 1,500 cubic meter ice storage system. The first stage will involve battery storage systems, two photovoltaic systems, and a partial DC power grid. The decision to install a DC power grid will advance the energy revolution, allowing for easier integration of renewable energy sources, battery storage systems, and e-mobility.
Building 60: Sector coupling made real
Phoenix Contact is establishing a wide-area DC bus in Building 60 to manage energy flow from the source to the load. Consequently, the company aims to connect different ecosystems through the DC bus at its headquarters in Blomberg, establishing true sector coupling and dealing with multidirectional energy flows. Notably, the main user of Building 60 is the East Westphalian company’s in-house machine building operations.
Making savings when setting up DC grids: Sustainability starting with the installation
Direct current networks can lead to significant efficiency gains by eliminating the need for multiple cables for AC power currents. Instead, two conductors are sufficient, saving up to 50% on insulation material, especially copper. Switching to direct current in the power supply from AC to DC also saves on components, making devices smaller and more efficient. This could lead to future devices connected directly to the DC power grid.
Blueprint for the All Electric Society
The company from East Westphalia-Lippe is well-positioned in the e-mobility sector, offering charging technology and DC power grid solutions. Their Charx product range focuses on fast vehicle charging with direct current. Their expertise in high DC powers allows them to transfer this expertise to industrial applications, linking factory automation with building technology and regenerative power generation.
Learn more about DC power grids in industry.
