Nissan and Sumitomo Establish JV To Research Second-Life Use of Automotive Li-ion Batteries
15 September 2010
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation have formed a new joint-venture to conduct research on the second-life use of lithium-ion batteries that have been used previously in electric cars. (Earlier post.)
Naming a second-life business for recyclable advanced lithium-ion batteries as the 4R Energy business in October 2009, both companies started a joint study to “Reuse, Resell, Refabricate and Recycle” the lithium-ion batteries used in electric cars.
Nissan will launch Nissan LEAF, the company’s first mass-market electric car in December 2010 in Japan and the United States, followed by the global release in 2012. Meanwhile, in April 2010, Sumitomo launched a new division, the New Business Development & Promotion Division, which is responsible for environmental businesses and is working on developing new approaches to realizing a low-carbon, recycling-based society.
While the EV market is expanding, the new joint-venture company will work towards developing the second-life battery business. As part of this new business development, the company will conduct demonstration tests and undertake a commercialization study.
Already solved this question at my house: the used battery will be used to store solar power from PVCs and will be used for off the grid AC power. Even to help charge my BEV.
Posted by: Lad | 15 September 2010 at 11:14 AM
We can also expect that a bank of recycled EV batteries storing low cost overnight electricity from spinning reserves - can be resold during daytime hours at lower rates. This would be good for an independent charge point(s) or retailer wanting to provide free charges to customers.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 15 September 2010 at 11:22 AM
Yes, there may be a huge secondary market for used (80% ?) electrified vehicles lithium batteries.
The next step would be recycling to recover the lithium and other costly elements.
Posted by: HarveyD | 15 September 2010 at 12:08 PM
If they can develop a market for these batteries, it will put the cost picture into greater focus. The whole group has gone ahead at speed to produce the batteries and cars, but not connecting the recycle or extended use industries.
One of the questions I get asked about EVs is how long do the batteries last, what is the warranty and what do they cost to replace? Those are all good questions that need to be answered before people buy these in greater numbers.
Posted by: SJC | 15 September 2010 at 02:54 PM
Determining the most and best use of the remaining 80% charge capacity of used EV batteries could have a huge impact on EV economics.
Posted by: kelly | 15 September 2010 at 03:23 PM
If EV's are being fast charged on or off the grid, then the 80%ers could provide the storage and current capacity to allow either faster charge ,more vehicle capacity, bulk accumulation for remote solar or other renewables, load stabilisation and peak/ offpeak stabilisation and off peak purchasing.
Posted by: Arnold | 15 September 2010 at 05:35 PM
People forget that a stationary battery can be very heavy for the amount of energy storage or power output. It would be nice to see the very old Edison nickle-iron battery updated with modern materials and design techniques. These batteries can have a life of over 100 years.
Lead acid batteries can be designed for very long life.
The ZEBRA batteries can have very long lives, and when there has been more experience and development with their seals, then they could have a hundred year life as well at low power. With such a long life and zero maintenance, power companies should pay for them to be installed in homes and businesses.
Homes and business should move to direct current wiring or a mix. The lighting circuits can come directly from a battery.
The NGK sodium-sulphur batteries have the chance of very long life as well. ..HG..
Posted by: Henry Gibson | 15 September 2010 at 10:28 PM