Are second-life batteries a viable alternative to stationary batteries?

This story is contributed by Josh Lehman, Relyion Energy Second-life batteries present an immediate opportunity, the viability of which will be proven or disproven in the next few years. Second-life batteries can considerably reduce the cost as well as the environmental impact of stationary battery energy storage.

Are second-life batteries the future of energy storage?

The potential for second-life batteries is massive. At scale, second-life batteries could significantly lower BESS project costs, paving the way for broader adoption of wind and solar power and unlocking new markets and use cases for energy storage.

What is a second life battery?

Recycled lithium-ion batteries are known as "second life batteries" because of their many uses after being used in EVs. These batteries are repurposed after careful evaluation and reconfiguration, and then integrated into stationary energy storage systems to extend their useful life and provide valuable energy storage solutions.

Are SLB batteries good for second-life applications?

As mentioned in Section 3, batteries with different SOH levels would be available for second-life applications. Typically, SLBs with a higher remaining capacity yield more revenue, but they may come at a higher cost. To make effective use of SLBs, the cost of maintaining and refurbishing these batteries must be outweighed by their benefits.

Are second-life batteries more reliable than fresh batteries?

However, spent batteries are commonly less reliable than fresh batteries due to their degraded performance, thereby necessitating a comprehensive assessment from safety and economic perspectives before further utilization. To this end, this paper reviews the key technological and economic aspects of second-life batteries (SLBs).

Will second-life batteries fail?

Second-life batteries will either fail or experience exponential growth over the next 3–5 years. Retired batteries are available in increasing quantities, and there is clear demand for low-cost, stationary energy storage. Companies seeking to take advantage of the opportunity must act now, or risk missing the boat.