‘A gold mine’: How old EV batteries could help prevent Europe from wasting solar and wind energy
Repurposing retired EV batteries could lower Europeans’ energy bills and prevent wind and solar farms from being switched off.
The European Union is grappling with the challenge of integrating renewable energy sources like solar and wind into its outdated energy grid, leading to substantial losses in electricity generation. The AFRY report commissioned by Beyond Fossil Fuels highlights that 375 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy projects and 455 GW of battery storage projects are currently stuck in distribution grid queues, resulting in over €100 billion of potential renewable energy going unused.
This predicament stems from the fact that renewables, such as solar and wind, require specific weather conditions to generate electricity and are often located in remote areas, making them challenging to transport to residential and commercial sites. Furthermore, these sources do not respond directly to demand, leading to periods of curtailment when supply exceeds demand, causing electricity prices to plummet below zero and ultimately resulting in the wastage of billions of euros worth of renewable energy annually.
One promising solution to mitigate this issue is the repurposing of retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries as energy storage systems. Although second-hand EV batteries may have degraded performance, they still retain a significant portion of their original capacity, ranging from 70 to 80 percent. These batteries can be utilized for storing electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines, thereby ensuring a steady power supply during peak demand periods.
Adrian Hiel, director of Electrification Alliance, emphasizes that "old EV batteries really are a gold mine," as they can provide a reliable source of energy for homes, businesses, and even smaller vehicles over multiple decades.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that more than a million EV batteries will reach the end of their life by 2030, potentially becoming one of the world's fastest-growing waste streams if not efficiently repurposed into the grid. The recycling of EV batteries, while possible, is costly and poses safety risks due to the hazardous chemicals involved. Consequently, integrating retired EV batteries into the energy grid could be a more practical and cost-effective solution.
Several projects worldwide have already begun harnessing the potential of second-life EV batteries. For instance, a 12 megawatt-hour (MWh) facility in California, developed by B2U, utilizes hundreds of second-life Honda EV batteries charged by 1.5 MW of solar energy. This plant sells both electricity and grid services into the California Independent System Operator market.
Moreover, second-life EV batteries can provide a more affordable energy source for remote communities, as they can store excess solar power during the day for use later in the evening when demand is high. By doing so, the EU can reduce curtailment of renewable energy, lower electricity costs, and create a virtuous cycle of decreasing prices as the grid becomes more equipped with battery storage systems.
Written by urgent.news from Euronews's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
