Daimler Truck is fitting photovoltaic modules to the roof of the new global parts distribution centre (PDC) it is building in Halberstadt, Germany. Having already covered 30,000 sq.m (12%), the solar panel system will eventually cover 90% of a total roof area around 250,000 sq.m. It is expected to generate more than 20m kWh of electricity per year. Surplus energy will be fed into the grid.

“The new logistics site has been planned for CO2 neutral operation from the outset, and the energy concept completely dispenses with fossil fuels,” said Stefan Rödler, head of Daimler Truck Real Estate, adding that it will be one of the largest rooftop photovoltaic systems in Europe.

Daimler Truck Halberstadt PDC photovoltaic roof

The photovoltaic roof system will eventually provide 20m kWh of electricity per year

The PDC will be equipped with charging facilities for suppliers’ trucks, as fleets are gradually electrified. There are plans for 16 charging points with 200 kW charging power and four 400 kW charging points. There will also be 30 charging points for employee electric vehicles. A number of suppliers have already invested in Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks for inbound parts deliveries to the Wörth truck assembly plant.

The PDC will be heated using electric heat pumps, which bring the heat into the building via floor heating systems. Energy efficiency will also be achieved through low heating water temperatures and the storage effect of the industrial floors, according to the truckmaker.

In the first stage, an energy storage system of around 2,000 kWh is planned, which will be supplemented by a further storage system at a later date.

Daimler Truck Halberstadt PDC logistics hall

The logistics hall at Daimler Truck’s Halberstadt PDC 

Rapid progress 
Construction firm Goldbeck started work on the facility for Daimler Truck in October last year and has built two large, parallel halls, each around 200 meters wide and 600 meters long. One is for inbound parts and one for outbound. Recycling halls and an office building are also now on site. Around a third of the logistics hall floor has already been concreted (90,000 sq.m) and more than half of the hall façade has been completed. In the coming months Daimler Truck will build up its high-bay warehouse. It is one of the biggest logistics projects in company’s history.

The facility will have a gross built up area of 270,000 sq.m and operations will be phased in during 2025 to supply 20 regional logistics centres worldwide with parts for Mercedes-Benz trucks. These in turn will supply the regional dealers with the parts. The PDC will receive 300,000 different line items from 2,600 suppliers when fully operational.

It will also use the latest storage and conveyor technology for the timely retrieval of parts. The truckmaker said that fast and comprehensive parts supply will enable vehicle fleets to spend as much time as possible in operation.

*In other related efforts to decarbonise logistics, Mercedes-Benz GenH2 fuel cell trucks are being used in operations at five logistics companies: Air Products, Amazon, Holcim, Ineos and Wiedmann & Winz. The five GenH2 Trucks will be deployed in different long-haul applications on specific routes in Germany and refueled at designated liquid hydrogen filling stations (sLH2) in Wörth am Rhein and in future also in the Duisburg area.

 

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