Jaguar Land rover (JLR) has partnered with Wykes Engineering Ltd to develop one of the largest energy storage systems in the UK to harness solar and wind power using second-life Jaguar I-PACE batteries.
A single Wykes Engineering Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) utilises 30 second-life I-PACE batteries and can store up to 2.5MWh of energy at full capacity.
The batteries supplied have been taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles, and JLR aims to supply enough batteries to store a total of 7.5MWh of energy – enough to power 750 homes for a day – by the end of 2023. After this point, the company says more containers can be created to house additional second-life batteries removed from used production vehicles. The company says each BESS is capable of supplying power direct to the UK’s National Grid during peak hours and draw power out of the grid during off-peak hours to store for future use.
JLR says it batteries can be deployed in low-energy situations once their health falls below the stringent requirements of an electric vehicle, which typically leaves a 70-80 per cent residual capacity. Once the battery health falls below the required level for these second-life use cases, JLR will recycle the batteries so that raw materials can be recovered for re-use.
“Our sustainability approach addresses the entire value chain of our vehicles, including circularity of EV batteries,” said François Dossa, Executive Director, Strategy and Sustainability at JLR. “Our EV batteries are engineered to the highest standards and this innovative project, in collaboration with Wykes Engineering, proves they can be safely reused for energy sector application to increase renewable energy opportunities. Using the 70-80 per cent residual capacity in EV batteries, before being recycled, demonstrates full adoption of circularity principles.
“Working together with industry-leading partners, we are developing a complete EV ecosystem, from batteries to charging, supporting our net-zero transformation.”
JLR says it is transforming our business to become carbon net zero across its supply chain, products, and operations
by 2039.
Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (September 2023)
13 September 2023
