Jaguar Land Rover repurposes car batteries for grid power storage

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【Summary】Jaguar Land Rover plans to repurpose old car batteries for energy storage in the UK's national grid. The company aims to create one of the largest energy storage systems in the country, with batteries providing enough power for 750 homes for a day. The initiative highlights the potential for reusing electric vehicle batteries that still meet stringent requirements but have fallen below those needed for driving.

FutureCar Staff Sep 04, 2023 12:03 AM PT

Jaguar Land Rover repurposes car batteries for grid power storage

The UK's largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), has unveiled its plans to repurpose old car batteries for energy storage. JLR aims to create one of the largest energy storage systems in the country by using these batteries.

Battery storage is crucial for holding excess power during off-peak times when there is an imbalance between electricity supply and demand. This excess power can then be released and fed back into the grid when needed.

JLR's battery scheme aims to provide enough batteries to power 750 homes for a day, equivalent to 7.5 megawatt hours of energy, by the end of this year.

According to JLR, electric car batteries can be reused due to their high standards, allowing them to be repurposed when they no longer meet the stringent requirements of electric vehicles. These batteries typically retain 70% to 80% of their residual capacity.

The used batteries will be stored in containers located at the Chelveston renewable energy park in Northamptonshire. JLR also mentioned the potential for expanding the program in the future by creating more containers to house additional used batteries from vehicles.

Furthermore, JLR believes that there is even more potential for utilizing used batteries in the coming years. A 2019 McKinsey report suggests that the supply of used batteries for energy storage could exceed 200 gigawatt-hours per year by 2030, with a global value of over $30 billion (£23.5 billion).

Energy storage is seen as a solution to the challenge of renewable electricity generation exceeding demand or grid capacity. Wind farms, for example, may need to power down during windy periods when there is insufficient demand or the grid cannot handle the excess energy.

This announcement highlights the longevity of electric vehicle batteries and their potential for repurposing even after they are no longer suitable for use in cars. Colin Walker, the head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, emphasizes that most of the metals in EV batteries can be recycled, while petrol cars irreversibly burn large amounts of fuel throughout their lifespan.