Technologies

Discover, Connect & Collaborate at TECHINNOVATION 2021

Repurposed Energy Storage System to Combat E-Waste

Technology Overview

With electrification of transportation within the region, it is imminent that there will be a growing volume of battery waste coming from electric vehicle (EV) batteries in the future. Lithium-ion batteries from EVs are subjected to stringent requirements to preserve the range of EVs. EV batteries are unsuitable for further use in the vehicle when the capacity of the battery drops below 80% and are discarded thereafter. Often, these retired EV batteries are still in good working order for less stringent applications such as grid energy storage and back-up power, opening up an opportunity for repurposing.

Based in Singapore, the technology owner has developed proprietary techniques to evaluate battery safety, performance and health. These methods would be used together with quality control processes that meet international standards in repurposing batteries. Through the process, good modules are refurbished with in-house developed battery management systems (BMS) and subsequently repurposed for use as part of an energy storage systems.

The technology owner is seeking collaborations with EV manufacturers to test out their retired batteries for use as repurposed energy storage system.

Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages

The technology owner’s innovation relates to the method of evaluation of battery performance and battery health. The method enables faster and more cost-effective screening process. In addition, the in-house developed BMS is capable of optimising the remaining performance of the repurposed battery.

Repurposed batteries aim to deliver the following advantages :

  • Reduce the waste of retired EV batteries by up to 30% through re-use initiatives.
  • Provide a cost-effective alternative source of lithium-ion batteries for less demanding applications.
  • Reduce the carbon footprint of new battery manufacturing processes by through re-using retired EV batteries.

Potential Applications

Second life batteries will be applied in areas where there are less demanding and non-mission critical requirements on the batteries. These include back-up power, peak shaving, nano-grid and residential ESS system.

Combined with renewable energy systems, repurposed energy storage systems can also be used for, demand shifting and intermittency control.

With the world moving toward electrification of transportation, there is an anticipation for a large quantity of retired EV batteries in the near future. Second life battery technology will be positioned to capture and recycle these retired EV batteries.

Customer Benefit

  • Lowers capex cost for lithium-ion batteries ESS system deployment.
  • Reduces manufacturing and installation carbon footprint of lithium-ion energy storage system deployment.
  • Supports corporate sustainability effort through reusing EV batteries and reducing e-waste.
OVERVIEW
Contact Person

Lionel Moh

Organisation

Genplus Pte Ltd

Technology Category

  • Energy
  • Battery & SuperCapacitor, Battery Management System, Demand Response System
  • Waste Management & Recycling
  • Energy Recovery, Sorting

Technology Readiness Level

Keywords

Repurposed, second life, 2nd life, batteries