Identification and Mitigation of Predominant Challenges in the Utilization of Aged Traction Batteries within Stationary Second-Life Scenarios

Abstract

As the production of battery cells experiences exponential growth and electric vehicle fleets continue to expand, an escalating number of traction batteries are nearing the conclusion of their operational life for mobility purposes, both presently and in the foreseeable future. Concurrently, the heightened interest in sustainable energy storage solutions has spurred investigations into potential second-life applications for aging traction batteries. Nonetheless, the predominant practice remains the removal of these batteries from electric vehicles, signifying the end of their life cycle, and their subsequent incorporation into recycling processes, with limited consideration for life-extending measures. This study seeks to elucidate the reasons behind the deprioritization of battery repurposing strategies. Therefore, the research team conducted two industry studies with over 20 battery experts from Europe, revealing concerns about the economic viability of repurposing batteries for stationary storage applications. A literature review of studies published since 2016 confirmed the industry’s struggles to address this issue theoretically. In conclusion, a research question was formulated, and a solution approach was delineated to assess the economic prospects of aged traction batteries within the industry’s landscape in the future. This solution approach encompasses pertinent market analysis, the identification of representative second-life applications, as well as the formulation of a methodology for evaluating the residual value of these batteries.

Global Patent Analysis of Battery Recycling Technologies: A Comparative Study of Korea, China, and the United States

“…Focusing on the recycling process of Li-ion batteries, there is a study that comprehensively organizes cutting-edge technologies for lithium-ion battery recycling, focusing on pretreatment, water supply recycling, and direct regeneration of anode materials [7]. Next, it is analyzed from the perspective of battery life cycle and integration into the recycling process [8], and by analyzing the recycling process using a systematic literature review method, it is emphasized that there is a lack of research on lithium-ion battery recycling in the existing literature [9].…”

Understanding the Economics of Aged Traction Batteries: Market Value and Dynamics

“…Unfortunately, there is barely any information about second-life battery (SLB) prices available, as is evident by the many assumptions needed by Fischhaber et al [5] to calculate the economic viability of second-life battery systems in different use cases. This lack of available information is emphasized by Frank et al [6], who showed that different price expectations exist and that there is explicitly no common price understanding in the European market for SLBs. Another study by Wu et al [7] suggests a leasing model to compensate for the asymmetry of information available to customers about SLBs and also outlines the recycling value as the lowest value possible for a battery system to have.…”