WE DELIVER ENERGY SYSTEMS

Our solutions are designed to make energy supply and energy management more efficient, secure, and effective – even under challenging conditions. Thus, we support the management of current threat situations and create real value both in active field operations and at the interface with civilian deployments, such as protecting critical infrastructure and in crisis response.

BATTERY TROLLEY SYSTEMS

EcoVolta – 2.3KW
POWERBANK
Universal, compact portable 230V solution for silent, emission-free energy on the go.

EcoVolta – 8.9KW
POWER TROLLEY
Mobile 400 Volt solution for professional applications with high power requirements.

EcoVolta – 15.0KW
POWERSTATION
Scalable professional power supply for high inrush currents and long runtimes or multiple devices.

EcoVolta – 15.0KW
EVOTRACTION
Powerful battery blocks or traction batteries for electric vehicles and machinery

BATTERY CASE SYSTEMS

FlexiBatt – 2.5KW
BATTERY-BLOCK
With 2.5 kWh and a lightweight, compact design, FlexiBatt provides energy for extended field operations.

FlexiBatt – 2.5KW
BATTERY CASE
A modular 48V and 2.5 kWh ruggedized battery system for professional, off-grid use independent of the power grid.

FlexiBatt – 50KW
BATTERY SYSTEM
A UPS and energy storage system with high capacity. The system combines 5 kWh modules. Scalable up to 50 kWh.

GENERATORS - FUEL CELL SYSTEMS

PowerUP
GENERATORS
Mobile hydrogen fuel cell generators for quiet, emission-free power in flexible applications.

PowerUP
POWER SUPPLIES
Integrable fuel cell power supplies for compact, modular hydrogen-based energy systems.

PowerUP
ELECTROLYZER
Decentralized hydrogen production for resilient, independent energy supply on site.

PowerUP
USV SYSTEME
Hydrogen-based UPS power systems for reliable backup power in critical applications.

PowerUP
CONTAINER SYSTEME
Containerized hydrogen power systems, solutions for scalable, resilient energy supply on site.

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OUR BUSINESS AREAS

Vogt-CTE
Rescue
Business field for products related to rescue and operations

Vogt-CTE
Defense
Business field for products related to defense and security markets

Vogt-CTE
Energy
Business sector for products related to mobile energy supply markets

Vogt-CTE Fire Retardants
Business field for products related to fire protection and firefighting

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LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SUSTAINABILITY | VOGT CTE

Lithium-ion battery systems are considered a key technology for the energy transition, electromobility, and the use of renewable energies. They allow electricity to be stored flexibly and used without emissions. However, they are also criticized for resource extraction, energy consumption during production, and disposal issues. Thus, the question of how sustainable lithium-ion batteries truly are can only be answered in a nuanced way. Their ecological balance heavily depends on how, where, and for what purposes they are used – and how responsibly they are managed.

EXAMPLES OF NON-SUSTAINABLE USE

A somewhat sustainable use occurs primarily when lithium-ion batteries are used briefly or inefficiently. A typical example is cheap electronic products with built-in batteries that cannot be replaced or repaired. Even small defects lead to the disposal of the entire device, although the battery would still be functional.

The use in overly large energy storage systems is also problematic. When batteries are significantly larger than necessary, excessive raw materials are consumed without providing corresponding benefits. Similarly critical is the use in applications with very high charge and discharge rates that cause rapid aging of the battery and significantly shorten its lifespan.

Additionally, the use of batteries from uncontrolled supply chains is not sustainable, where raw materials like lithium, cobalt, or nickel are extracted under poor environmental and labor conditions. This leads to ecological damage and social issues that greatly worsen the overall balance.

The conclusion is: Lithium-ion battery systems are neither inherently sustainable nor fundamentally harmful to the environment. Their sustainability arises from correct use, long lifespan, responsible sourcing, and thorough recycling. By making informed choices and handling batteries carefully, one can significantly enhance their ecological benefits and minimize their risks.

EXAMPLES OF HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE USE

A particularly sustainable use of lithium-ion batteries occurs where they can be used for a long time, well-monitored, and sensibly integrated. A good example is stationary battery storage in conjunction with photovoltaic systems. Here, batteries enable the utilization of self-generated electricity and significantly reduce the need for fossil energy over many years.

The so-called second-life concept is also very sustainable. Used vehicle batteries that are no longer optimal for mobile use are repurposed as stationary storage. This greatly extends their lifespan and significantly decreases the resource consumption per stored kilowatt-hour.

Another positive application is modular battery systems, where individual cells or modules can be replaced. Defective components can be swapped out without disposing of the entire system. In combination with intelligent battery management, this can significantly enhance lifespan and efficiency.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP ENSURE MORE SUSTAINABLE SOURCES OF LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES

As a user or buyer, you can actively influence sustainability. When selecting a battery system, it is important to pay attention to quality, repairability, and lifespan. High-quality batteries last longer, require fewer replacements, and cause less environmental impact in the long run.

It makes sense to prefer products from manufacturers that can demonstrate transparent supply chains, recycling concepts, and environmental standards. Certifications and take-back schemes are important indicators of responsible production.

In operation, a gentle approach significantly contributes to sustainability. This includes moderate charging, avoiding deep discharges, protecting against extreme heat, and regular maintenance and monitoring for larger storage systems. Each additional usage cycle improves the overall ecological balance.

At the end of the life cycle, proper return and recycling are crucial. Lithium-ion batteries contain valuable raw materials that can be recovered. Correct disposal prevents environmental harm and reduces the need for new raw material extraction.

PROCUREMENT CHECKLIST

1. Conscious Choices When Purchasing

☐ Focus on high product quality rather than the lowest price
☐ Prefer battery systems with long guarantees and high cycle stability
☐ Choose products where batteries or modules are replaceable
☐ Favor devices that are repairable and not glued or sealed
☐ Only buy batteries with certified safety and quality standards

2. Check Manufacturers and Supply Chains

☐ Prefer manufacturers with transparent supply chains
☐ Pay attention to information about the origin of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, or nickel
☐ Support companies that comply with social and ecological standards
☐ Consider existing environmental and sustainability certifications
☐ Choose providers who take responsibility for the entire lifecycle

3. Consider Recycling and Take-Back Programs

☐ Prefer products with well-regulated take-back or deposit systems
☐ Choose manufacturers that actively offer recycling programs
☐ Ensure that valuable raw materials are recovered
☐ Gather information on proper disposal before purchasing

4. Sustainable Use in Daily Life

☐ Use batteries ideally in the charging range between about twenty and eighty percent
☐ Avoid deep discharges and constant full charging
☐ Protect batteries from extreme heat and direct sunlight
☐ Only use suitable and certified chargers
☐ Adjust charging and discharging performance to actual needs

5. Actively Extend Lifespan

☐ Do not charge batteries unnecessarily quickly unless required
☐ Regularly check the condition and capacity
☐ Ensure a smart battery management system for stationary storage
☐ Replace defective modules or cells strategically instead of exchanging whole systems
☐ Store batteries partially charged and cool during long periods of non-use

6. Promote Sustainable Usage Concepts

☐ Prefer the use of batteries in conjunction with renewable energies
☐ Consider second-life batteries for suitable applications
☐ Use batteries only where they actually provide ecological benefits
☐ Deliberately avoid oversizing of storage

7. Proper Return and Disposal

☐ Never dispose of lithium-ion batteries in household waste
☐ Return batteries to official collection points or to the manufacturer
☐ Immediately take damaged or bloated batteries out of service
☐ Transport for disposal safely and free from short circuits

THE MOST SUSTAINABLE OPTION IS WHEN THE BATTERY LASTS A LONG TIME

The largest contribution to the sustainability of lithium-ion batteries is a maximally long service life. Every battery that functions reliably for many years saves resources, energy in production, and avoids premature electronic waste. A crucial factor in this is proper charging. Charging behavior, settings, and the quality of the charger have a direct impact on aging, safety, and lifespan of the battery.

Consciously Use Charging Settings
Modern devices and storage systems often offer the possibility to set charging limits. If a battery is continually charged to one hundred percent or completely discharged, it accelerates aging. It is more sustainable to consciously limit the charging range, for example, to a range between twenty and eighty percent. This setting reduces chemical stress on the battery and can significantly extend its lifespan.

Fast charging should also be used selectively. High charging power is convenient, but it generates additional heat and stresses the cell chemistry. If time allows, slow or moderate charging is the much more battery-friendly choice.

Quality and Logic of the Charger
A high-quality charger is much more than just a power source. It communicates with the battery, intelligently adjusts current and voltage, and protects against overcharging, overheating, and short circuits. Good chargers have multi-stage charging processes, temperature monitoring, and automatic shut-off as soon as the battery is fully charged.

The internal logic of the charger ensures that the battery is only loaded as much as its current state allows. This is not only safer, but also significantly extends the service life.

Avoid Cheap Chargers
Particularly problematic are cheap or uncertified chargers. They often deliver unstable voltages, inaccurate charging currents, or lack sufficient protective mechanisms. This can lead to overheating, rapid aging, or in the worst case, fire hazards. What saves money in the short term can lead to higher costs and additional environmental burdens in the long run.

Sustainable action therefore means investing in tested, compatible chargers for the battery and opting for original or similarly high-quality products.

Logical Charging Behavior in Daily Life
A battery does not need to be constantly connected to the charger. It is sensible to charge only when truly necessary and to disconnect the device from the power supply after charging. Charging at extreme temperatures should also be avoided, as heat and extreme cold further stress the battery cells.

A lithium-ion battery is most sustainable when it is used reliably for as long as possible. Conscious charging settings, high-quality chargers, and logically adjusted charging behavior significantly contribute to this. Avoiding cheap chargers and treating your battery with care not only protects the environment but also enhances safety and cost-effectiveness in everyday life.

DOES A BROKEN BATTERY ALSO MEAN BROKEN RAW MATERIALS?

In a lithium-ion battery, the materials at the end of the battery life are mostly not “damaged”. What deteriorates is primarily the chemical and structural arrangement within the cell.

As the battery ages, side reactions occur: Lithium becomes partially permanently bound, electrode materials develop cracks or change their crystal structure, and the electrolyte decomposes. As a result, the battery can increasingly transport lithium ions less efficiently between the anode and cathode. The capacity and performance decline.

The contained elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, aluminum, manganese, or iron are still present. Atoms do not “wear out.” Therefore, many of these materials can be recovered through recycling and reused for batteries or other products.

An important distinction is:

Battery damaged: The materials are no longer in the correct chemical form or structure to function well as a battery.
Materials damaged: This does not happen in the strict sense. They are more mixed, chemically altered, or harder to separate from each other.

With modern recycling processes, for example, nickel, cobalt, and copper can be recovered with very high recovery rates. Lithium is also recoverable, but it is technically somewhat more challenging.

WE DELIVER INNOVATIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS
At Vogt-CTE, we provide our European trading partners access to unique innovations in the field of energy systems. Our solutions make energy supply and energy management easier, faster, safer, and more energy-efficient – all while consuming fewer resources. The products we represent are highly specialized, field-tested, and create real value: they strengthen resilient, decentralized structures and ensure operation even under demanding conditions. We do not just bring products to market; we deliver progress. Together with our partners, we ensure that these innovations reach where they are needed most: at operators of critical infrastructure, response organizations, and field users.