JLR repurposes car batteries for grid power storage

author: FutureCar Staff    

The UK's largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), has unveiled 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, which will help address the issue of excess power during off-peak times.

During periods when there is a mismatch between electricity supply and demand, battery storage can hold the excess power. This stored energy can then be released back into the national 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 and residual capacity. Even when they fall below the stringent requirements of an electric vehicle, these batteries still retain 70% to 80% of their capacity.

The used batteries will be stored in containers located at the Chelveston renewable energy park in Northamptonshire. JLR also envisions expanding the program in the future to accommodate more containers and additional used batteries.

Furthermore, JLR believes that the utilization of used batteries for energy storage has the potential to exceed 200 gigawatt-hours per year by 2030, resulting in a global value of over $30 billion (£23.5 billion), as stated in a 2019 McKinsey report.

Energy storage is a crucial solution to the problem of renewable electricity generation exceeding demand or grid capacity. For instance, wind farms may need to power down during windy periods when there is insufficient demand or grid constraints. By storing excess energy, it can be utilized at a later time or in a different location.

This announcement highlights the longevity of electric vehicle batteries, which can find new applications even after their use in cars. Colin Walker, head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, emphasizes that most of the metals in EV batteries can be recycled, with only a small amount lost. This stands in contrast to the significant fuel consumption of petrol cars throughout their lifespan.

FutureCar Staff