Refurbished and Repower: Second Life of Batteries from Electric Vehicles for Stationary Application

Rising environmental concerns and depleting natural resources have resulted in faster adoption of green technologies. These technologies are pushed by the government of states through certain schemes and policies as to make the orbit shift ensuring greener environment in near future. Major actions can be easily seen in transportation sector. Hybrid Electric Vehicle (EV), EV and Fuel cell EV are being deployed on roads rapidly but even though some challenges are still unsolved such as battery cost, fast charging and life cycle of the automotive battery. Automotive batteries (Lithium ions) are declared as unfit for automotive usage after the loss of 20% to 15% of their initial capacity. Still 80% to 85% of battery capacity can be utilized in stationary applications other than automotive. Stationary application doesn’t demand high current density or energy density from the battery pack as of automotive requirements. This paper discuss about the methods that needs to be followed while refurbishing of used battery pack for second life which can be used in various application. An economic analysis of second life battery, which gives idea of it’s competitiveness with other energy storage methods in same applications. This paper identifies some of the challenges which will act as the hurdles for the deployment of the used automotive batteries in different applications. The paper also suggests some policies which can be adopted by the government which will speed up the process of second life use of battery. Second life use of battery will also bring down the cost of automotive battery upfront and will also take care of the recycling of elements of battery pack.