Sustainable energy breakthrough: Recycled batteries powering homes
1:03 PM EST, November 22, 2023
Energy storage may pose significant costs but remains integral in enhancing the usability of renewable energy sources. A certain American company has innovatively created an energy storage system utilizing batteries salvaged from electric cars.
Batteries serve as one of the greatest challenges in the electric vehicle industry. Their high costs and limited lifespan often deter potential buyers. However, when these batteries are no longer fit to power vehicles, they can be effectively repurposed for energy storage.
B2U Storage Solutions, a company specializing in energy storage solutions, seized this potential opportunity. They deployed an energy storage system which used batteries stripped from Honda Clarity vehicles in New Cuyama, California, commencing operations in November.
As reported by energy-storage.news, the energy storage system devised by B2U Storage Solutions touts a power capacity of 3 MW and a total capacity of 12 MWh. The company announced the installation of this system adjacent to a photovoltaic farm with a power output of 1.5 MW. Approximately 600 used car batteries, deemed unfit for continued use in electric cars, were utilized for its construction. This was realized with the company's proprietary technology, coined as EPS.
The B2U has embarked on another initiative near Los Angeles, as reported by fastcompany.com. Leveraging about 1,300 used car batteries, they've constructed a storage system capable of harnessing up to 28 MWh of electricity. With this capacity, approximately 9,500 homes can be supplied with power.
In an interview with energy-storage.news, Freeman Hall, the CEO of B2U, expounded on their EPS technology. It was engineered to ensure the safe operation of the batteries. Parameters regarding the efficiency of batteries are monitored in real-time, and the system automatically detects potential hazards, subsequently generating appropriate alerts. If certain set parameters are exceeded, the batteries are automatically disengaged.
