A groundbreaking project led by Nissan aims to significantly advance the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) battery sustainability. This initiative seeks to enhance research and development (R&D) capabilities and strengthen the technical expertise of UK teams focused on zero-emission vehicles and battery technology.
Connected Energy is a key partner in this initiative, spearheading the second-life battery component. The company will leverage its existing technology to create large-scale energy storage sites using repurposed EV batteries. These storage systems, designed and developed by Connected Energy, address power capacity issues on the grid, optimize the use of renewable energy in buildings with solar arrays, and enhance energy resilience. Repurposing EV batteries before recycling them significantly reduces environmental impact.
The project aims to develop advanced energy storage technology that integrates multiple battery types with varying health and performance characteristics. This approach will demonstrate the potential of large-scale second-life systems to compete with new lithium-ion systems.
“Our goal is to develop and demonstrate a pioneering economic model for large-scale second-life energy storage systems that can be easily scaled up further and replicated,” said Matthew Lumsden, CEO of Connected Energy. “This will place Connected Energy and our network of partners at the leading edge of second-life battery use. Repurposing EV batteries in energy storage is a key contributor to vehicle electrification and sustainability while also helping towards the decarbonization of the electricity grid.”
Currently, Connected Energy produces 300-kilowatt systems for smaller-scale industrial and commercial applications. This project is crucial for scaling up their technology in response to the anticipated increase in available second-life batteries in the coming years.
Large-scale battery energy storage systems support energy flexibility and demand markets by storing energy when abundant and selling it back to the grid during high-demand periods. This second-life use of batteries allows EV manufacturers and battery owners to further monetize their batteries before recycling.
The multi-megawatt system developed by Connected Energy is expected to become operational in 2025. This energy storage initiative is part of a broader £30.1 million consortium project, including £15 million in Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) funding, aiming to strengthen the UK’s capabilities in EV battery reuse, recycling, and grid balancing.
