JLR developing used EV battery storage system

THOUGH not an entirely new concept, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and partners have devised a renewable energy storage system tapping used EV batteries.

Used (and damaged) EV batteries are already a major environmental problem affecting numerous countries with various solutions being assessed including: re-purposing, recycling and simply storage in shipping containers waiting for some kind of acceptable solution.

Car manufacturers are driving battery re-use tech’ because the issue has the propensity to have a major impact on their sales in addition to potential deleterious legislation.

JLR in collaboration with Wykes Engineering has kicked off development of one of the largest energy storage systems in the UK to harness solar and wind power using second-life EV batteries.  Called a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) JLR says it will help decarbonise the (UK) National Grid and deal with peaks in demand.

The UK prestige car maker provides second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries for a BESS that, at the moment, can power around 250 homes for a day.  JLR wants to advance the reuse of vehicle batteries as part of a circular economy it says is based on the principles of: Use Less, Use Longer, Use Again.

It is hoped that by adopting these principles, the use of so-called “virgin” materials will be limited.

JLR has a stated objective of achieving carbon net zero by 2039 across its supply chain, products, and operations under a program it has dubbed the Reimagine strategy. 

The main thrust for this program comes from Wykes Engineering Ltd’s single BESS with 30, second-life I-PACE batteries that can store up to 2.5MWh of energy at full capacity.

At this point, the batteries supplied by JLR have come from prototype and engineering test vehicles but the car maker aims to supply enough batteries to store a total of 7.5MWh of energy… by the end of this year. It is enough to power 750 UK homes each day.

Once the partnership achieves its initial goal, more battery “containers” can be created to house additional second-life batteries removed from used production vehicles in the future. 

JLR says each BESS is linked to an advanced inverter to maximise efficiency and manage energy and is capable of supplying power direct to the UK National Grid during peak hours as well as drawing power out of the grid during off-peak hours to store for future use.

Battery storage systems can deal with rapid peaks in demand and maximise solar and wind energy capture during sunny or windy conditions for use when needed with critical effect to decarbonising the Grid.

The collaborating partners have achieved seamless integration with no need for additional manufacturing steps or the removal of battery modules.

“The batteries are simply removed from the Jaguar I-PACE and slotted into racks in the containers on-site, helping to maximise the sustainability of the project,” the company said in a statement.

“Second-life battery supply for stationary applications such as renewable energy storage, could exceed 200 gigawatt-hours per year by 2030, worth billions of dollars in global value. 

“Our batteries are engineered to the highest standards and can therefore be deployed in low-energy situations once their health falls below the stringent requirements of an electric vehicle, which typically leaves a 70-80 per cent residual capacity.”

When the battery health falls below the required level after use in BEVs and second use in a BESS, JLR will recycle them harvesting raw materials for re-use as part of a true circular economy. 

 

“Our sustainability approach addresses the entire value chain of our vehicles, including circularity of EV batteries,” said JLR executive director of strategy and sustainability François Dossa.

“Our EV batteries are engineered to the highest standards and this innovative project, in collaboration with Wykes Engineering, proves they can be safely reused for energy sector application to increase renewable energy opportunities.

“Using the 70-80 per cent residual capacity in EV batteries, before being recycled, demonstrates full adoption of circularity principles.

“Working together with industry-leading partners, we are developing a complete EV ecosystem, from batteries to charging, supporting our net-zero transformation.”