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With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, an important question arises: the fate of their batteries when they reach the end of their useful life. In this article for pv magazine , researchers from the Brazilian Photovoltaic Solar Energy Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC Photovoltaic) explore the economic advantages of reusing these batteries.
In recent years, electric vehicles (EVs) have been gaining more and more ground on roads around the world. Driven by concern for the environment and the search for alternatives to fossil fuels, these cars offer a promising solution to reduce polluting emissions and combat climate change.
Following this global trend, Brazil has witnessed significant growth in EV sales in recent years. In 2023, the country closed the year with a fleet of more than 220,000 electric cars, and in the first quarter of 2024 alone, more than 36,000 vehicles were sold, according to data provided by the Brazilian Association of Electric Vehicles (ABVE). The figure is significant and reflects the increase in demand for these vehicles in the national market.
However, with the increasing adoption of electric vehicles, an important question arises: the fate of their batteries when they reach the end of their useful life. Like mobile phone batteries, electric car batteries, composed primarily of lithium ions, typically show a reduction in capacity after 8 to 15 years of operation, making them less suitable for use in vehicles. electrical.
However, even after reaching around 60% of their original capacity, these batteries can continue to be used in other applications, such as stationary energy storage systems. This practice, known as second life of batteries, aims to prolong their usefulness and prevent premature disposal, contributing to a more sustainable approach to energy resources. These batteries can be reused in stationary applications, such as energy storage systems in homes, businesses, and power grids.
Reusing these batteries not only offers environmental benefits by reducing the need for new batteries and minimizing the impact of production, but also economic advantages. The use of second-life batteries can help reduce the costs of energy storage systems and promote the penetration of renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaics, as well as potentially reduce the initial cost of new electric vehicles and increase their penetration in the market.
For the second-life battery market to reach its full potential, the development of robust business models, data transparency and support of favorable government policies are essential.
Another relevant aspect is the issue of regulation and tax incentives. In many countries, including Brazil, government policies encouraging the adoption of electric vehicles play a key role in driving the market. Subsidies, tax breaks and other measures can push consumers toward electric vehicles, which in turn increases demand for batteries and spurs the development of second-life technologies.
Furthermore, the private sector also plays a crucial role in developing the second-life battery market. Energy companies, electric vehicle manufacturers and other organizations have invested in research and development to find new applications and technologies that make the most of the potential of second-life batteries.
One of these applications may apply to residential consumers. With the global popularity of photovoltaic generation, government subsidies aimed at incentivizing the use of this energy source on the grid, especially for residential users, are being reduced in most countries, including Brazil. With changes in the rules on distributed generation, prosumers are now charged for the transmission of excess energy dumped into the grid.
Currently, storing part of this surplus energy with new batteries may be economically unviable, mainly due to the cost of acquiring the battery. However, using second-life batteries to avoid dumping this energy into the grid and potentially incurring charges, depending on their cost, could be economically viable, even associated with other types of storage.
Another example is large-scale energy storage systems, which can use second-life batteries to stabilize the electrical grid and store energy generated by intermittent renewable sources, such as solar and wind. These systems are essential to guarantee the reliability and security of the energy supply, in addition to contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Since 2018, the UFSC Photovoltaic laboratory has been testing the various possible applications of second-life storage systems. Tested applications include small-scale systems, such as off-grid street lights and 100% solar-powered refrigerators, as well as larger-scale systems. For example, a 200 kWh container (100 kWh first life + 100 kWh second life) functions as a reserve for the building in the event of a power outage, but when connected to the grid it also serves to store excess energy. solar energy and use it at night to power the green hydrogen generation that takes place in the laboratory, using rainwater and solar electricity, both captured from the roofs and facades of the building that houses the electrolyzers.
Another proven application is the use of these batteries as a buffer to charge electric cars. In this way, the batteries are charged slowly by the electrical grid and can quickly charge the electric vehicle with great power, without requiring too much of the grid at that time. Second-life batteries extracted from an electric bus that operated for five years in the laboratory are also being characterized and tested for application in a large storage system that will allow the electric company to support and maintain the low and medium voltage electrical grid. .
However, despite its potential, the second-life battery market is still in an early stage of development, facing obstacles such as the lack of business models and clear government policies. Furthermore, issues related to reverse logistics and recycling of batteries at the end of their second life need to be properly addressed.
The condition of batteries at the end of their first life, their durability in stationary applications and their commercial viability are some of the issues that need to be considered and addressed. To achieve this, it is necessary to develop effective battery monitoring and management methods that guarantee their safety and performance over time. The Photovoltaic/UFSC laboratory is also working on it, analyzing different methods of measurement and selection of second-life batteries, developing tests that can attest to their safety and durability.
It is essential that governments, companies and other stakeholders collaborate to create a favorable environment for the development of the second-life battery market. This includes establishing clear rules and regulations, investing in research and development, creating financial and fiscal incentives, and developing strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Ultimately, the success of the second-life battery market will depend on the collaboration and commitment of all parties involved. With the right support, second-life batteries can play an important role in the transition to a more sustainable and resilient future, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy security and create jobs and economic opportunities. |
