Battery Logistics: Safely Mastering Transport Challenges

E-mobility has experienced an enormous upswing in recent years - strongly influenced by increased environmental awareness, political measures and technological advances. At the centre of this development is battery technology, which is crucial to the success of electric vehicles and therefore an important component in the automotive sector. From careful storage to strict safety requirements when transporting batteries - we shed light on the challenges and show how digital tools and smart management systems can optimise the process and minimise risks.

The storage, but above all the transport of batteries for electric vehicles is associated with high safety requirements. The risk of defects or leaks in the event of incorrect storage necessitates careful handling and monitoring. The keyword is fire protection!

Efficient inbound management is crucial to ensure that the batteries are transported smoothly (by a haulage company if necessary) from the supplier to the warehouse and on to the production facility. The quality and type of storage and transport of the battery determine its service life. Digital tools play a central role here. They enable continuous monitoring of the batteries and help to recognise and prevent potential risks at an early stage. This is where modern logistics systems such as myleo / dsc come into play, enabling precise and smart monitoring along the entire supply chain.

Real-time Data for Maximum Transparency and Efficiency

The cloud-based software solution myleo / dsc provides an overview of all processes, resources and capacities on the factory premises based on real-time data and makes it easy to organise them. In combination with hardware solutions - for example in the form of self-service terminals and automatic licence plate recognition for opening barriers - the efficiency of yard management is raised to the highest level. This makes truck drivers much faster and more flexible in their deliveries and when loading or unloading. The users of such a smart solution always have an overview of truck notifications in advance and can use the integrated booking calendar to reschedule in good time in case of doubt.

A smart yard management system can therefore help to organise and manage battery transport. It coordinates the arrival and departure of transport vehicles and optimises the use of staging zones and loading areas.

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Another important aspect is the implementation of just-in-time supply chains. These ensure that the batteries are provided as required and thus minimise storage times. Companies that rely on such optimised supply chains increase their efficiency and reduce costs.

ADR Check: Indispensable for Safe Battery Logistics

There are different types of batteries in the automotive sector: AGM batteries, EFB batteries or lithium-ion batteries. These advanced energy storage systems all have one thing in common: as the battery is considered dangerous goods, numerous regulations and safety standards must be observed during transport. They are therefore declared as standard in accordance with the "Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses par Route" (ADR). This involves the correct labelling, packaging and documentation of the cells. Efficient risk management is essential in order to avoid potential hazards and remove defective goods directly from the delivery. This ensures safe transport. In many companies, this process is still purely manual. This ties up personnel capacity and also has a negative impact on the susceptibility to errors.

The myleo / dsc system offers a smart solution for the ADR check: Customised checklists and photo documentation for the ADR and load securing check, which can be easily adapted individually as guidelines change, not only increase flexibility and safety for goods and employees. They also make the process simple and intuitive to carry out, minimising sources of error.

Increasing the Reliability of Battery Deliveries Thanks to Tracking and Visibility Systems

Seamless tracking of batteries during transport is also crucial for the safety and efficiency of the supply chain. For manufacturing companies in particular, it is essential to understand the influences on their supply chain. Tracking and visibility systems offer a solution here. They enable real-time monitoring of transport routes and provide valuable data for optimising logistics processes. These systems help to ensure that problems - such as delivery delays or vehicle breakdowns - can be quickly identified and rectified, thereby increasing the reliability and safety of battery deliveries. Real-time transportation visibility is therefore a key factor for a stable material flow today.

Playing it Safe - Optimised Battery Logistics with Precise Sensors

In addition to seamless traceability, tracking systems offer another essential advantage in battery logistics. The sensors used enable detailed analyses to detect possible defects in the batteries at an early stage. Such damage occurs particularly during transport by rail, as impacts when coupling and uncoupling the wagons often lead to damage. These impacts are detected by the sensors so that affected wagons and batteries can be specifically analysed in quality assurance. Tracking and visibility systems therefore not only improve transport tracking, but also the quality and safety of the batteries.

In a Nutshell: The Importance of Battery Logistics

Logistics plays a central role in the life cycle of batteries, especially in the collection, transport and distribution of used batteries to recycling facilities. The recycling of batteries in particular is crucial to recovering valuable materials and minimising the environmental impact of battery waste.

Logistical Challenges

• Safety: The transport of (used) batteries must be carried out under safe conditions to avoid hazards such as defects, fires or leaking chemicals. Lithium-ion batteries are particularly risky and require special handling.
• Regulations: There are strict rules and regulations for the transport of batteries, especially across national borders. These regulations must be strictly adhered to. Among other things, the ADR check is mandatory here.
• Efficiency: To minimise costs and the ecological footprint, efficient route planning and warehousing is necessary. Modern technologies such as tracking and data-based optimisation help here.

Smart Yard Management: Optimising Battery Logistics with myleo / dsc

Efficient battery management along the entire transport chain is crucial to the success of e-mobility. This is a topic that Fraunhofer Institute is currently working on intensively. Fraunhofer IML employees are researching how batteries can be used for as long as possible in an environmentally friendly manner. They are looking at the entire life cycle: from production, transport and storage through to reuse and recycling. By taking a holistic view of the challenges and solutions in battery logistics, software solutions such as myleo / dsc can play a key role in ensuring that electromobility makes its contribution to a sustainable future through smart yard management. Modern technologies and strategies such as digital warehouse management, optimised yard management, just-in-time supply chains, ADR compliance and tracking systems are indispensable tools and ensure the smooth flow of materials.

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