Interview with Dr. Marc Zoellner/Hoppecke

Energy for trucks: Where does the trip?

Lead-acid, gel or lithium-ion battery, fuel cell or different concepts? Who wants to find out as the operator, away from the internal combustion engine powered industrial trucks comes quickly to many uncertainties.

One thing is clear: the E-drive is the future, certainly to 10 tons of payload. What technologies play a role and how they are still future-proof, STAPLERWORLD wanted to know about an energy professional and spoke with Dr. Marc tax collector, manager of green energy specialist from the beautiful Sauerland.


STW: The augurs of the truck to say to the E-drive technology is even more significant than today, as you see it?

 Dr. MZ: Currently, diesel trucks a higher market share worldwide. The market for electric lift trucks is growing faster in the developed industrial countries. The focus of future drive concepts for industrial trucks are reducing consumption and emissions while increasing performance, durability and economy. For e-speak stapler in addition to the zero-emission drive the positive energy balance (energy recovery) and significantly lower noise levels.

STW: Currently, the traditional lead-acid battery, the measure of all things, how fast will come LI-ON-traction batteries in the field, which are described so well as to future real alternative?

 Dr. MZ: The lithium-ion battery will establish itself in certain niche applications in the FFZ-market within the next five years. Because of the high energy density, this technology is suitable for applications where weight, volume and the Fast charging play a major role, currently VRLA batteries are used especially for small traction applications where. However, we must also expect long-term with much higher costs.

STW: Your house has been doing research on different batteries decades and has now excelled with the fuel cell Pilotprojet at BASF in Münster, the hydrogen or methane fuel cell, a real alternative, or is it a bridge technology?

 Dr. MZ: Fuel cells are emission free and quiet. Our fuel cell-battery hybrid system allows for the first time a real separation between the provision of energy (fuel cells to supply the base load demand) and power (battery cover for high peak loads and efficient use of Rekuperationsenergie). By hybridization of the fuel cell with high-performance batteries, the cost of fuel cells are significantly reduced, as this is used only to cover the base load. The testing phase at BASF in Münster is positive. Through the evaluation and system optimization phases in the daily operation, possible sources of error can be detected early and removed, to ensure in a subsequent operation, the fleet can merchantability. The hydrogen infrastructure is a challenge. However, in locations where hydrogen production process, almost incidentally, the use readily obtained already possible today.
STW: The HF Chargers in interaction with gel batteries and electrolyte circulation currently technically far the leader, but is "at the last moment" at FFZ-sales are often hastily for a cheap 50-Hz device with "draufgepackt", how to put out change your view?

Dr. MZ: The benefits of RF technology are not yet widely known. It offers a very high flexibility: One charger for all battery types and sizes, and technologies. The improved efficiency can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% and the internal power factor correction of our RF devices leads to a 60% lower electrical connection costs, compared to 50-Hz equipment. A payback of investment costs for a regulated RF charger is usually achieved within a year.


STW: Today's RF technology holds the potential for further development or just have the communication battery charger-battery management is simplified and gestreamlined?

 Dr. MZ: The present state of RF technology needs to be established first time in the market. Development potential have now in the miniaturization and the power increase. The price will certainly play in the next few years an important role. Today displace single-phase 50-Hz equipment RF devices. The communication between the chargers and monitoring systems has primarily to do with the RF technology nothing. Here it is important to meet the customers' needs with its requirements. This means: Safe and ladegeräteherstellerunabhängige communication, understandable and useful information with a payback period of less than 12 months.

STW: Your house recommends operators before obtaining a comprehensive energy analysis by the energy supplier that is realistic, but eventually also offer the most comprehensive large FFZ provider of Consulting, "" You poach it not in the area of your major customers?

Dr. MZ: The truck manufacturers offer systems consulting in the field of materials handling, logistics and goods movement while on our analysis aims to achieve an optimum in the storage, use and conservation of mobile energy. We also offer systems to a range in which the material handling equipment manufacturer is not moving normally. We see our services as complementary to that of the FFZ provider. Many projects are carried out in cooperation.

STW: Despite modern technology plays the "human element" has an important role in the availability of batteries, how far your operating models?

Dr. MZ: We have defined a business model - sustainable energy solutions. KWh usage-billing or monthly flat rate models offer maximum flexibility. We also carry complete charging stations, some with their own staff. In the foreground are productivity, safety, cost and convenience for our customers.

STW: What activities your house unfolds to the markets of North America and the Far East and what impact can the lift for the European business?

Dr. MZ: In China we have our own manufacturing facility in Wuhan leader in batteries for industrial trucks. This presence allows us a reliable partner for European customers and their investments in Asia to be. By a somewhat different technology and formats in North America we have this region for FFZ still in focus.

STW: Where do you see your business in 5-10 years, crushed by rampant global corporations or a small fine provider, which receives close to the customer up.

Dr. MZ: We have a clearly defined business strategy in which we want to establish ourselves in the next five years as a leader in sustainable energy solutions for industrial applications in our target markets. We are moving from component to system and energy suppliers. The customer is our always the focus of our activities and reflection, and we see ourselves as a provider of customized energy solutions and as a service provider.

Vita Dr. Marc Zoellner
Dr. Marc Zoellner was born in February 1966 in Cologne. In 1986 he began studying economics and business administration. After his diploma in business, he received his doctorate at the University of Cologne, and then worked several years in the sales area of a large truck manufacturer, most recently as Sales Manager for Germany. For the first July 1998 he moved to Hoppecke and assumes the duty of the head where profit centers (sales manager) Motive Power. For the first January 2000 he is appointed as managing director. Within the executive board, he is primarily responsible for sales and marketing. Since 1 August 2003 he is managing partner. 

www.hoppecke.de