California Startup Uses Old EV Batteries to Store Solar Power

A startup in California is attempting to solve two of the most significant challenges facing the renewable energy industry: how to save surplus renewable energy during peak production and what to do with old electric vehicle batteries. The company is doing so by storing solar power in old EV batteries.

Renewable energies, including solar and wind, are expected to play a significant role in America’s energy mix as the country moves away from dirty fuels such as coal and oil. However, solar-energy production usually peaks at midday when the sun is at its brightest and most people are away from home, either working or in school.

Without proper storage capabilities, the solar power produced during peak production but low consumption hours would essentially go to waste. California-based B2U Storage Solutions is looking to kill two birds with one stone by using old electric vehicle batteries for stationary power storage.

The average EV battery is designed to last around 15 to 20 years or 100,000–200,000 miles before it has to be swapped out with a new one. Since the EV industry is still in its infancy, it doesn’t have robust protocols for the recycling of electric vehicle batteries. This means that as millions of EV batteries are retired over the next few years, there will be an influx of batteries that can’t serve in vehicles but still have plenty of capacity left for secondary applications.

B2U Storage Solutions has already begun using this supply of used EV batteries as stationary storage for excess solar energy produced during peak sunlight hours. The company has installed 1,300 used EV batteries on dozens of trailers on a stretch of Lancaster desert next to rows and rows of solar panels. The batteries are hooked to the panels with wires and store the energy those panels produce during the day. The stored energy is then redirected back into the grid at night when consumption by the public peaks.

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power manager Yamen Nanne says the market will likely see more stationary storage solutions that leverage past-life EV batteries as the electric vehicle market matures and more batteries flow into the secondary market. Companies such as B2U Storage Solutions may see handsome returns on their investments by selling stored energy to cities that have green-energy goals, such as Los Angeles.

B2U Storage sourced its stock of old batteries from carmakers Honda and Nissan. The batteries were in old leased vehicles or replaced via warranty. The company may be able to obtain batteries directly from consumers as the EV market matures and more EV drivers replace their older, worn-out batteries with new ones. These used EV batteries can then be recycled after spending five to six years in stationary power storage.

Many EV manufacturers such as NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO) are likely to come up with their own battery-recycling programs as the years go by, resulting in old EV batteries having many applications once they are removed from vehicles.

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