JLR reuses car batteries for energy storage

author: FutureCar Staff    

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to create a large-scale energy storage system in the UK using second-hand electric vehicle batteries. The project, a collaboration with Wykes Engineering, aims to store excess electricity generated from renewable sources like solar and wind, and help manage peaks in demand on the National Grid.

JLR stated that 30 second-hand batteries from its Jaguar I-PACE series can store approximately 2.5MWh of energy, which is enough to power 250 homes for a day. However, the company's goal is to increase this capacity to a total of 7.5MWh by the end of 2023. By reusing these batteries, JLR is also embracing circular economy principles and reducing the need for new materials.

The initial batteries used in the project were taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles, but additional containers will be created to house more second-hand batteries from used production vehicles in the future.

Renewable energy production can be inconsistent, leading power grids to rely on fossil fuels. For example, solar panels cannot generate energy at night, and wind turbines are ineffective when there is no wind. Battery storage systems are seen as crucial for decarbonizing the energy grid, as they can handle rapid peaks in demand and maximize the capture of solar and wind energy for later use.

Each battery in the project is connected to an advanced inverter to optimize efficiency. They can supply power directly to the National Grid during peak hours and draw power from the grid during off-peak hours for storage. The system is designed to be simple, with no additional manufacturing steps or battery module removal required. The batteries are simply removed from the Jaguar I-PACE vehicles and placed into racks in on-site containers.

JLR sees this system as part of its strategy to achieve a net zero carbon business by 2039. When the battery health falls below the required level for energy storage, JLR plans to recycle them to recover the raw materials for reuse.

Reuben Chorley, sustainable industrial operations director at JLR, expressed excitement about the project, stating that it will help unlock the true potential of renewable energy and drive the company towards a circular economy business model. David Wykes, managing director of Wykes Engineering, highlighted one of the benefits of the system, explaining that it can absorb excess solar energy that would otherwise be lost when the grid reaches capacity, allowing it to be stored in the second-life I-PACE batteries and discharged later.

FutureCar Staff