2nd Life Batteries

A second life for used batteries from the e-automotive sector

E-vehicles protect the environment with their low emissions, but it is unclear what will become of the old batteries. At the same time, the energy sector needs new solutions for storing renewable energies in order to use decentralized electricity production optimally and efficiently.

What you should know

The innovation

Exactly these problems are addressed in the research project 2nd Life Batteries. Because the basic idea of the project is to continue using the batteries used in electric vehicles to store energy. Because the wear and tear of batteries is high: the batteries are already discarded when they still have 80% of their original capacity. After being used in e-vehicles, the batteries can be combined to form larger, stationary electricity storage devices and used to cover peak loads and to optimize self-consumption in the industrial sector.

As part of the R&D project, a mobile rapid analysis device is being developed for the rapid and cost-effective assessment of the condition of used batteries. This is necessary because without the vehicle manufacturer it is often not possible to access the stored battery data directly in order to determine its condition. If the batteries are in good condition, they are installed in stationary accumulator packs. The innovative power of the measuring device is reflected in the cross-brand functionality for measuring different batteries. In addition, a software tool for comprehensive determination of the residual value and an automatic storage dimensioning tool are being developed, whereby the different areas of application (peak load coverage, PV self-power optimization, etc.) can be optimally dimensioned.