Volkswagen commissioned this month a pilot battery vitality storage unit with reused modules from pre-production Volkswagen ID.3 and Volkswagen ID.4.

The facility storage container (PSC) has been put in on the Zwickau plant in Germany, which is engaged within the manufacturing of a complete of six MEB-based electrical automobiles.

The PCS is provided with 96 reused MEB cell modules and affords a complete of 570 kWh of web capability (about 5.94 kWh per module on common).

The primary function of the pilot battery second life venture is to develop a sustainable answer for older batteries with some capability fade, which nonetheless can be utilized for fairly a while as an vitality storage system, earlier than going into recycling.

The PCS in Zwickau helps the native fast-charging station with 4 150 kW chargers, decreasing the ability surges, in addition to enabling higher use of the adjoining photovoltaic set up.

Volkswagen notes that the ability storage containers may play an important position to advertise the buildup of quick charging infrastructure in residential areas or on the whole in locations with constrained energy (like 11 kW or 22 kW).

“The benefit is that fast-charging infrastructure could be constructed practically wherever, even when in locations with a low-capacity grid connection.”

“As a big battery storage unit, the PSC affords a cheap different to a transformer station. It permits massive portions of vitality to be offered in a short while with out overburdening the electrical energy grid. One other benefit is that the momentary storage of vitality permits for prime fundamental prices that may in any other case be incurred throughout standby operation, even when no automobiles are charging, to be prevented.”

Many different producers previously have been additionally growing numerous battery second life purposes.

We anticipate that such a vitality storage system will rapidly acquire recognition, as there might be an rising variety of battery modules and pack with {a partially} decreased capability (60-70% of the preliminary worth).

There isn’t a sense in prematurely sending the batteries to recycling if they are often reused for a while (for example 10 or extra years) and assist increase the charging infrastructure or in different purposes.