Used Electric Vehicle Batteries A Source For Energy Storage

With the number of electric vehicles hitting the market increasing, so the question of what becomes of the used batteries arises. While recycling seems to be the default option, these batteries could play a substantial role in the electricity grid for demand response and frequency regulation

Utilities look for energy storage systems that will last 10-15 years. GM estimates that the current Volt battery still retains about 70% of their capacity after being replaced by their owners after about 10 years of use. A 30% drop in capacity would not be feasible for an electric vehicle as the car would need to be recharged more often. However, this remaining capacity could well contribute to residential solar/storage combinations and/or provide reliability to the grid.

Sumitomo launched a pilot project last year to explore the commercial viability of an energy storage system made from used EV batteries. Separately, BMW has also partnered with the company Vattenfall to develop secondary uses for EV batteries and GM has developed a used EV battery microgrid backup system with the global company ABB.

What these companies will now have to do is work out a mix of used batteries to deliver the ideal performance for grid storage, to store and discharge power over many cycles.

To make this economically feasible, there have been suggestions for cost-sharing of batteries between carmakers and grid storage companies that correspond to the capacity used.

If you want to know more about this and other topics directly from end users of energy storage technologies join us at one of these annual events: The Energy Storage World Forum (Grid Scale Applications), or The Residential Energy Storage Forum, or one of our Training Courses.

LATEST ARTICLES

Future energy predictions: Growth of flexibility and grid forming

  It is well known that COVID-19 has caused low energy demand and the growth of renewable energy across Europe. Now, Andrew Tang, Vice President for Energy Storage at Wärtsilä, predicts this will result in swift action to build better grid resiliency. The share of renewable power across Europe has skyrocketed over the last six…

Read More

When Global Green Economy Met Energy Storage

Our energy system is dynamically evolving. The realization of the urgency towards Net Zero, Green economies has been more pressing than ever. The energy transformation serving a more sustainable future, safeguarding our ecosystem and protecting our planet is of paramount importance for many developed and developing nations across the globe. In this analysis, we delve…

Read More

Battery Storage for Commercial & Industry

Powerful battery storage offers many advantages in terms of saving electricity costs and a reliable power supply. With this technology, companies retain control of their energy supply and costs. The battery storage system is charged when energy is cheaply available and it supplies the stored electricity when prices are at their highest. With applications such…

Read More

★REVIEWS

“Probably the most interactive and well organized storage event on the calendar.”

★★★★★

Sales Director, S&C

“Great topics, competent speakers, good networking: keep it like that.”

★★★★★

TLC & SCADA Manager, FRI-EL

“High scientific content, well targeted, perfect organization.”

★★★★★

Expert Technical & Governance, Elia

Excellent networking event. The sponsorship was well worth it.”

★★★★★

Manager, ATL

View More

x