JLR repurposes EV batteries for renewable energy storage

author: FutureCar Staff    

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with Wykes Engineering to repurpose used batteries from its electric vehicles for energy storage systems. These Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) will store renewable energy to help decarbonize the grid and manage peaks in demand. Each large-scale container system contains 30 used I-Pace batteries, capable of storing up to 2.5MWh of energy. The systems are connected to advanced inverters to maximize efficiency and can supply power to the National Grid during peak hours and draw power from the grid during off-peak hours for future use.

The containers are designed to absorb solar energy that would otherwise be lost when the grid reaches capacity. The excess energy is stored in the second-life I-Pace batteries and can be discharged later, allowing for the maximum amount of power generation from the solar park. JLR will initially supply batteries for three containers, which can power 750 homes for a day. More containers can be created in the future using second-life batteries from used production vehicles.

This project aligns with JLR's circular economy principles of "Use Less, Use Longer, Use Again" and its goal of achieving carbon net zero by 2039. The batteries still have a residual capacity of 70-80% once their health falls below the demands of an electric vehicle, making them suitable for low-energy situations. JLR's sustainability approach encompasses the entire value chain of its vehicles, including the circularity of EV batteries. By reusing the batteries before recycling them, JLR demonstrates its commitment to circularity principles and increasing renewable energy opportunities.

JLR's collaboration with Wykes Engineering is part of its efforts to develop a complete EV ecosystem, from batteries to charging, in support of its net-zero transformation.

FutureCar Staff