- Environmental Impact: Throwing away lithium-ion batteries improperly is causing global safety issues including fires in waste management facilities.
- Circular Economy Benefits: Companies such as B2U Storage Solutions and Allye Energy are recycling and reutilising old EV batteries.
- Industry Innovation: B2U Storage Solutions has successfully deployed large-scale storage facilities using second-life batteries, demonstrating cost-effectiveness and reliability in energy markets.
- Collaborative Efforts: Car makers and energy companies are working together to use old EV batteries in new ways, helping to reduce emissions and promote sustainable energy.
- Economic Impact: Reusing old EV batteries can save money for businesses and therefore consumers by reducing the need for brand new battery systems.
A new study authored by Aman Kumar, an MSc in Energy Management student at ESCP Business School, explores how recycling and repurposing EV batteries are key to sustainability efforts.
Companies like B2U Storage Solutions and Allye Energy are leading in converting old EV batteries into valuable assets, promoting a circular economy, as well as extending battery life.
With lithium-ion battery use set to grow hugely by 2030, their 15-20 year lifespan poses environmental and safety risks if not properly recycled.
Each year, thousands of fires caused by batteries in waste management facilities or vehicles are reported in the United Kingdom and Australia.
These incidents, along with others worldwide, highlight the hazards of improper disposal and underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions.
“Repurposing EV batteries for secondary applications such as battery energy storage systems (BESS) is a pivotal strategy,” Kumar explains. “It not only maximises the remaining capacity of these batteries but also supports grid stability and enhances renewable energy integration.”
“As the world accelerates towards sustainable energy solutions, the role of repurposed EV batteries in stabilising grids and supporting renewable energy sources cannot be overstated,” says Kumar. “These initiatives not only mitigate environmental impact but also offer economic advantages, making them a win-win for both businesses and consumers.”
For more information on this study and to explore the potential of repurposed EV batteries in the energy transition, please visit ESCP’s Energy Management Centre website.
About ESCP Business School
ESCP Business School was founded in 1819. The School has chosen to teach responsible leadership, open to the world and based on European multiculturalism. Six campuses in Berlin, London, Madrid, Paris, Turin and Warsaw are the stepping stones that allow students to experience this European approach to management.
Several generations of entrepreneurs and managers were thus trained in the firm belief that the business world may feed society in a positive way.
This conviction and ESCP’s values – excellence, singularity, creativity and plurality – daily guide our mission and build its pedagogical vision.
Every year, ESCP welcomes 10,000+ students and 6,000 managers from 135 different nationalities. Its strength lies in its many business training programmes, both general and specialised (Bachelor, Master, MBA, Executive MBA, PhD and Executive Education), all of which include a multi-campus experience.
It all starts here.
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