Engineering news
Carmaker Nissan has formed a collaboration with power management company Eaton to develop an energy storage solution that reuses 'second-life' batteries made for its Leaf electric vehicles.
The technology uses lithium ion battery modules to store energy inputs from multiple sources which, in combination with an Eaton uninterruptible power supply (UPS), can be used to deliver clean, balanced power when required.
The single 50kW output unit can be used as a means of integrating intermittent renewable energy sources into the grid, whilst maintaining grid stability during peak times.
Robert Lujan, head of electric vehicles, Nissan Global, said: “We are the only carmaker to produce our own batteries. The batteries as power units far outlast the typical life of a car. Having produced our own electric vehicle batteries at our leading manufacturing sites for six years, this scheme will allow us to expand the life of our existing 24kWh product therefore reducing the need to use additional resources from the planet to produce new batteries.
“Our work with Eaton will allow us to re-fabricate and recycle our depleted lithium ion batteries as part of a second-life movement that will produce pioneering energy storage solutions. It's a tremendously exciting opportunity with commercial and residential applications.”
Cyrille Brisson, vice president marketing, for Eaton's electrical business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the energy storage technology would facilitate the wider adoption and deployment of renewable generation, particularly in developing areas, while also helping utility providers to maintain the stability of the grid.
“The benefits of such a unit include continuity of supply, increased grid stability and efficiency, avoidance of peak energy tariffs and reducing the reliance on expensive fuels like diesel to compensate for no-grid or poor-grid situations,” he said.
Brisson said that in terms of commercial operation, datacentres, large industrial users and grid operators had already expressed an interest in the technology and that he expected the first installations to be made early next year.
In terms of residential operation, the energy storage unit's batteries could be charged at night when the cost of energy was at its lowest, with energy released to reduce consumption from the grid during the peak power periods of the day. The unit would demonstrate cost savings by providing low cost “night power” during the day and ensuring that the lights stay on, even in the unlikely case that the grid would fail.
Nissan said that the batteries used in energy storage systems would last between five to ten years, depending on use.
Looking to longer-term, it said that second-life energy storage use would lead to increased residual values for electric car batteries.