Funded project – Commercialisation of retired electric vehicle batteries
Servicing retired EV batteries and repurposing EV (lithium) batteries for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) before forwarding to an accredited end-of-life recycler for treatment.
Background
Innovative Mechatronics Group Pty Ltd (IM Group) is an Australian-owned and operated company with a history of automotive electronics repair and remanufacturing equipment.
Traditionally, the company focused its circular economy efforts on mechatronics parts for passenger vehicles running on internal combustion engines. It is the first to do the same for hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and to repurpose retired EV batteries for stationary Battery Energy Storage System’s (BESS).
The problem
Higher adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is environmentally positive, especially when the electricity to charge the vehicle comes from renewable energy sources. However, to achieve this, more batteries are required for EVs where their degradation over time is a big challenge.
Typically, at 80% capacity, batteries are no longer suited for EV use. Old batteries are currently sent to landfill and the raw materials are simply recovered from them, which means the battery is not being used at its highest value before recycling it (a key principle of circularity).
The project
The current program of IM Group, with its new brand Infinitev, will be the first to make a circular economy solution for electric vehicle batteries by reusing, repurposing and recycling end-of-life batteries.
The focus of the Infinitev project, funded by the Circular Economy Business Support Fund Round 2, is the Infinitev Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), which uses batteries no longer suited to vehicle applications and repurposes them into an energy storage system.
Infinitev repurposes retired EV batteries for stationary Battery Energy Storage System’s (BESS). Objectives
- Increase access to circular economy products and services for businesses and consumers with a circular-economy model for EV batteries incorporating reuse, repurpose and recycle.
- Reduce materials going to landfills and other waste destinations by recycling battery pack materials. After multiple cycles, they will be treated as part of their End Of Life (EOL) process and minerals/materials are recirculated back into the production of components such as drive batteries again.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution by decreasing dependency on new materials (also reducing mining).
- Using the retired EV batteries as a BESS for power system applications to increase the penetration level of renewable energy.
- Create new local jobs and new business models.
- Increase the duration of products and materials lifecycles.
Challenges
- Accessing high-quality and affordable second-life batteries.
- Finding reliable partners that are aligned with Infinitev’s objectives and willingness to collaborate on technology in Australia.
- Certifying “second life” batteries, which have already undergone extensive testing and certification during first use (in EV). To address this barrier, Infinitev is liaising with regulators in different countries to find suitable partners for the different battery technologies.
From the grantee:
"An innovative approach to a sustainable circular economy starts with understanding what a “Sustainable Circular Economy” is. It’s more than reusing the materials/minerals and having them going around and around forever. It is not about creating a perfect economy but putting in place opportunities to recoup and minimise waste, and we can do far better than we are currently doing. "
"The funding from CEBIC has allowed rapid deployment and for us to fast-track the commercial opportunity and identify the gaps currently exists in the industry."