A “second life” for used batteries. Nissan and Enel to partner in Spain
The project leverages advanced technology based on a simple idea: once the useful life of a battery within an electric vehicle has come to an end, these batteries are recycled and assembled in a large stationary storage system.
Nissan and Enel will become partner in order to launch innovative “Second Life” storage system for used batteries, making it a boost for truly circular economy. At first, the project will be related to electric passenger cars, although it’s quite easy to think of its implementation when it comes to light commercial vehicles. Combining used Nissan electric vehicle batteries at a conventional power plant in Melilla, Spain, operated by the Enel Group’s Spanish subsidiary, Endesa, the project enhances grid stability to help meet the needs of an isolated network.
Nissan, Enel and system integrator Loccioni
As part of the collaboration, Nissan has provided the batteries from its electric vehicles and Loccioni, an Italian system integrator, secured the proper integration between batteries needed for the circular process. The project leverages advanced technology based on a simple idea: once the useful life of a battery within an electric vehicle has come to an end, these batteries are recycled and assembled in a large stationary storage system. This system is integrated with Endesa’s Melilla facility to avoid the interruption of electricity supply during events of excessive load, to improve the reliability of the grid and secure the continuity of network service to the local population. The back-up generator is composed of 48 used Nissan LEAF batteries and 30 new ones.
Used Nissan electric vehicle batteries provide a source of energy when they are interconnected and stored at Endesa’s Melilla facility with a power of 4 MW and the ability to produce up to 1.7 MWh of energy should the power plant be disconnected from the system, the storage facility can inject energy into Melilla’s electricity grid for 15 minutes, which is enough time to reset the system and restart the power supply.
Nissan: «A model for a battery’s second life»
«The collaboration with Enel allowed us to create a model for a battery’s second life, which can be applied in many other use cases. This is a great example of the endless possibilities that come with reusing electric vehicle batteries as part of a circular economy», commented Soufiane Elkhomri, Director of Energy Services for the Nissan AMIEO region (Africa, Middle-East, India, Europe and Oceania).
«The development of storage technology is key if we want to foster greater renewable penetration in our energy systems, so we can truly shape the power generation of the future. Specifically, this project demonstrates that, in line with the Open Innovation principles, we can find solutions for the management of the end of life of essential equipment such as batteries, a topic which is at the core of the sustainable energy issue», added Salvatore Bernabei, CEO of Enel Green Power.
