AVL Simulates Energy System for New Climate-Friendly dm Distribution Center in Kronstorf

Graz, January 19, 2026 – In the summer of 2025, construction began on a new distribution center for dm drogerie markt in Kronstorf, Upper Austria. The plan is to create a distribution center that is as climate-friendly as possible, combining high efficiency with a low carbon footprint within the constraints of the location and legal requirements. AVL supported this project with an energy system simulation, which serves as the basis for concept development and specification.

The new distribution center is designed to be largely energy self-sufficient and cover its energy needs from renewable sources. The plan is to make extensive use of photovoltaics on roof surfaces, open spaces, and parking lots, supplemented by battery storage to increase energy autonomy. In addition, dm is relying on state-of-the-art technologies, including heat pumps and a sustainable wood hybrid construction method.

AVL was commissioned to evaluate existing energy concepts and optimize the energy system using simulation. A key factor in this was the integration of a weather year based on NASA and PVGIS data to enable precise simulation of energy generation and demand.

On the one hand, the simulation showed the actual expected fluctuations in electricity production at the site. On the other hand, the future energy requirements of the distribution center were modeled based on operating data from existing sites, adjusted for higher levels of automation, a different operating size, and the requirements of electromobility.

The result is a temporal balance of energy production and consumption under various conditions and assumptions: favorable and unfavorable weather conditions, required storage capacities, and necessary grid purchases and feed-ins. Simulating several years of operation enables an analysis of different system configurations in terms of investments and the inclusion of energy prices. This allows technically and economically sound decisions to be made for a balanced design of the initial energy system and for future expansions.

AVL traditionally specializes in mobility and processes "after the grid outlet," but is increasingly applying methods and knowledge from this field to the analysis of energy systems "before the outlet." Physically based simulations are used to develop sustainable solutions for energy supply, ideally early in the planning process.

The modeling covers the behavior of energy systems with generators and consumers at various levels of detail from the regional level to individual businesses such as the logistics center with its vehicle traffic. The networking of stationary and mobile applications takes place across sectors with high temporal resolution for example, hourly over an entire model year with real weather data.

Projects such as the dm distribution center in Kronstorf in particular show that traditional planning is often based on undifferentiated average values that cannot adequately reflect real weather and consumption fluctuations. AVL therefore relies on simulation-based assessments that enable detailed and precise analysis.

"With the optimized energy system simulation, we have made a valuable contribution to the realization of a climate-friendly distribution center in Kronstorf," emphasizes Kurt Prevedel, Lead Engineer Engine & Boosting Concepts at AVL. "We are delighted to have supported dm in developing a sustainable solution that sets new standards for environmentally friendly operating facilities."

"For dm, sustainable business means taking responsibility for people, the environment, and future generations. At the distribution center in Kronstorf, it was therefore particularly important to us to consider ecological standards from the outset and to implement them together with strong partners. We have an open, constructive partnership with AVL on an equal footing. This enables us to realize our high standards of sustainable logistics," adds Patrick Aichinger, Head of International Logistics at dm.

With the new distribution center in Kronstorf, dm and AVL are jointly setting a milestone toward climate neutrality and sustainable logistics. Thanks to AVL's comprehensive simulations and technological expertise, forward-looking solutions have been developed that combine efficiency, sustainability, and cost optimization.