Can "second life" EV batteries work as grid-scale energy storage?
6 months ago
- #sustainability
- #energy-storage
- #battery-recycling
- Redwood Materials has launched a new division called Redwood Energy, focusing on deploying used EV batteries as grid-scale energy storage before recycling them.
- The initiative aims to extract additional value from used EV batteries by repurposing them for energy storage, potentially doubling or more the value obtained from each battery.
- Redwood Energy has developed a 'universal translator' technology that allows heterogeneous EV batteries of different chemistries, voltages, and states of health to work together in a unified system.
- The company's first large-scale project is a 63-megawatt-hour off-grid facility in Nevada, powered by solar panels and used EV batteries, supporting data centers.
- Redwood's approach minimizes disassembly and labor costs by using EV batteries as-is, focusing on simplicity and scalability in deployment.
- Safety is a priority, with designs ensuring passive safety measures to prevent large-scale fires or hazards, even if individual batteries fail.
- The business model is flexible, allowing Redwood to own and operate storage sites or partner with others, always ensuring batteries are eventually recycled.
- Redwood anticipates significant growth in the second-life battery market, with incoming EV battery volumes expected to rise sharply, making this a major part of their business.
- The company sees potential for second-life batteries to compete with new grid-scale storage, especially for longer-duration applications (8+ hours).
- Redwood is exploring partnerships with automakers like GM to streamline battery collection and expand the use of both used and new batteries in energy storage.