Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a partnership with renewable energy firm Wykes Engineering to give a second life to old Jaguar I-Pace batteries. This collaboration aims to create one of the largest energy storage systems in the UK, known as the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The BESS will harness solar and wind power and store the energy in the retired car batteries, reducing pressure on the National Grid during peak charging times.
The BESS and similar systems can handle rapid peaks in demand and collect solar and wind energy that would otherwise be lost when the grid reaches capacity. The batteries taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles have the capacity to store enough energy to power 250 homes for a day. JLR has committed to supplying batteries that can power 750 homes for a day by the end of 2023.
One of the key advantages of this project is that the batteries are simply removed from the I-Pace models and slotted into racks in the containers on-site, maximizing the sustainability of the project. JLR believes that reusing vehicle batteries will create new circular economy business models for energy storage and beyond. In the future, JLR also plans to reuse batteries from current production vehicles. Once the battery health falls below the required level for second-life use cases, JLR will recycle the batteries to recover raw materials for reuse.
François Dossa, Executive Director of Strategy and Sustainability at JLR, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability throughout the value chain of their vehicles. He stated that their EV batteries are engineered to the highest standards and this innovative project demonstrates their ability to be safely reused for energy sector applications. By utilizing the residual capacity of EV batteries before recycling, JLR is fully embracing circularity principles.
Reuben Chorley, JLR’s Sustainable Industrial Operations Director, highlighted the importance of developing second-life battery projects in achieving JLR’s carbon net-zero goal by 2039. David Wykes, CEO of Wykes Engineering, emphasized the benefits of the system they have developed, which allows excess solar energy to be stored in the second-life I-Pace batteries and discharged later. This enables the maximization of power generation from the solar park.
This partnership between JLR and Wykes Engineering is a significant step towards creating a more sustainable energy system in the UK. By repurposing old car batteries for energy storage, the project reduces waste and contributes to the circular economy. It also helps alleviate pressure on the National Grid during peak charging times, ensuring a more stable and reliable energy supply.
Furthermore, this initiative aligns with the UK’s goal of increasing electric vehicle (EV) ownership. As more people transition to EVs, the demand for energy will increase. Energy storage systems like the BESS play a crucial role in managing this increased demand and ensuring a smooth transition to a greener transportation system.
Overall, JLR’s partnership with Wykes Engineering to repurpose old Jaguar I-Pace batteries for energy storage demonstrates their commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles. By giving these batteries a second life, JLR is contributing to the development of a more sustainable energy system and supporting the UK’s transition to electric vehicles. This innovative project sets an example for other automotive manufacturers to follow, showcasing the potential for collaboration between the automotive and renewable energy sectors to create a greener future.