Lighting up Orang Asli homes with discarded EV batteries
Many EV batteries retain substantial storage capacity even after they are no longer suitable for automotive use. Repurposing suitable batteries for stationary energy storage could extend their useful lives by years.
The Kampung Saweh project in Pahang, Malaysia, combines rural electrification, renewable energy, and the reuse of electric vehicle batteries. The Universiti Malaya team, led by Tan Chia Kwang and supported by graduate and undergraduate students, received funding from Universiti Malaya and Ritsumeikan University of Japan. The project aimed to bring electricity to an Orang Asli village using discarded BMW electric vehicle batteries and second-life solar panels.
The team developed proprietary technology for the battery energy storage system (BESS) in Universiti Malaya's smart grid research laboratory and transported the components to the jungle village via a 70km trek. The 30 battery modules are housed in a traditional bamboo hut, providing 3kWh of daily electricity for 20 households. This system allows the villagers to watch Malaysia's national television channels at night, highlighting the significant impact of such a project on rural communities.
However, the standalone system has limitations, and Tan has emphasized the importance of engaging with the community to ensure the battery storage system's successful adoption. Additionally, the project underscores the potential for repurposing second-life EV batteries in Malaysia's growing electric vehicle industry, as well as the need for a comprehensive recycling system in the country.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Lighting up Orang Asli homes with discarded EV batteries freemalaysiatoday.com
