A Creepy Good Idea: Nissan Leaf Batteries Get a Second Life

Photo Source: NISSAN

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity due to their dual benefits: reduced emissions and lower operating costs. As the automotive industry embraces sustainable practices, it‘s crucial to consider the entire lifecycle of EVs, including the environmental impact of battery disposal. A key question arises: How can we extend the life of batteries to maximize their value and minimize waste?

Nissan, 7 States Power Corp., the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, and Middle Tennessee Electric joined forces to address this challenge. By repurposing used EV batteries, this innovative project aims to bolster the reliability of the American power grid. This collaborative effort seeks to develop a solution that can be implemented locally and globally.

“Second-life” battery technology offers a sustainable solution for repurposing EV batteries. For context, once these batteries reach the end of their vehicle life, they retain a significant portion of their original capacity, typically between 50-80 percent. Nissan is introducing this technology by employing used battery packs from its all-electric Leaf. 

These retired batteries will be repurposed to create two Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Nissan America’s headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. The retrieved packs will undergo rigorous testing and be assembled into storage systems. This undertaking emphasizes Nissan’s dedication to environmental sustainability and demonstrates the versatility of EV batteries beyond their initial use in transportation.

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Other than giving used EV batteries a second life, the group will focus on:

• Energy Efficiency:

  Researching methods to minimize energy consumption.

• Battery Longevity:

  Improving battery lifespan.

• Optimized Energy Distribution:

  Maximizing energy distribution within the system and into the grid.

• Infrastructure Development:

  Building and scaling the battery packs and system.

• User-Friendly Integration:

  Ensuring seamless and safe connection to the electric grid for consumers.

As mentioned, EV batteries exhaust their capacity to hold a full charge with age. The partnership assembled a skilled team to implement, evaluate, and explore potential market applications when the batteries no longer meet the performance standards for vehicle use.

To that end, BESS is designed to charge during off-peak hours and discharge during periods of high electricity demand. This process, known as “peak shaving,” helps stabilize electricity demand from the office building, diminishing emissions and supporting a more dependable power grid, as exemplified in the image below.

Photo Source: NISSAN

The venture utilizes battery components from approximately 50-60 Nissan Leaf vehicles, incorporating several 40kWh battery packs with a total capacity of 500 kWh. By repurposing these batteries, Nissan anticipates reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by up to 3.7 tons. This initiative not only demonstrates the effectiveness of reused batteries in energy management but also provides useful information about the collaborative functioning of batteries with different levels of health.

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By launching this inventive method, Nissan is setting a new standard for automakers, indicating how second-life battery enterprises can make substantial improvements in efficiency and renewable energy objectives. Check out the eco-friendly Leaf and benefit from our new vehicle specials.