As electric vehicle (EV) sales surge globally, UK-based Allye and SYNETIQ have embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration to repurpose retired EV battery packs into innovative battery energy storage systems (BESS). This forward-thinking initiative not only addresses the environmental challenges posed by used lithium-ion batteries but also offers a sustainable solution for large-scale energy storage, contributing to grid resilience and promoting access to renewable energy.
The MAX Battery Energy Storage System: A Game-Changer
Allye, a startup specializing in intelligent battery energy storage, will leverage discarded EV batteries sourced from SYNETIQ, a vehicle salvaging and recycling company, to develop the MAX BESS. This 300 kWh self-learning energy storage system as a service is poised to revolutionize the industry. The companies assert that the MAX BESS will not only cut clients’ energy costs by 50 percent but also play a pivotal role in decarbonization efforts.
Sustainable Repurposing of EV Batteries
Allye and SYNETIQ’s approach involves repurposing entire EV battery packs, maximizing the utilization of finite resources in a sustainable manner. Through diagnostic testing, Allye will evaluate the acquired battery packs to recover as many usable ones as possible. The MAX BESS is groundbreaking in its ability to integrate battery cells with diverse chemistries, voltage ranges, capacities, and states of health within a single system, prioritizing flexibility and circularity.
This method of repurposing EV batteries not only extends their lifespan but also significantly contributes to reducing waste and cutting carbon dioxide emissions. By diverting lithium-ion batteries from landfills and minimizing the need for new manufacturing, this initiative aligns with the global push for a circular economy in the EV sector.
Addressing Recycling Challenges and Emissions Reduction
While recycling infrastructure for retired lithium-ion batteries is still evolving, incorporating retired EV batteries into commercial energy storage systems offers a practical solution. SYNETIQ will provide batteries from vehicles that have been prematurely written off, containing battery packs with significant remaining useful life. Allye estimates that repurposing each pack directly lessens carbon dioxide emissions, saving over seven tons for a typical 75 kWh pack.
The collaboration aims to repurpose over 4,000 EV battery packs over the next five years, potentially saving an estimated 28,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the process. This initiative presents a scalable model that could be adopted globally, offering an innovative approach to recycling EV batteries and supporting the transition to renewable energy on an international scale.
As the demand for EVs continues to rise, finding sustainable solutions for battery disposal and repurposing becomes increasingly critical. Allye and SYNETIQ’s collaborative effort exemplifies how innovation and collaboration can transform environmental challenges into opportunities for progress in the realm of energy storage and sustainability.