Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has partnered with renewable energy firm Wykes Engineering to create one of the largest energy storage systems in the UK using second-life batteries from Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles (EVs).
The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will collect solar and wind power and store the energy in the I-Pace batteries. This will alleviate pressure on the National Grid, especially during peak times for EV charging, as the BESS can handle rapid peaks in energy demand and capture renewable energy that would otherwise be lost when the grid is at capacity.
The BESS consists of 30 second-life I-Pace batteries, which have been taken from prototype and engineering test vehicles. At full capacity, these batteries are capable of storing enough energy to power 250 homes for a day. JLR’s goal is to provide batteries that can power 750 homes for a day by the end of 2023.
One notable feature of the BESS is that the batteries can be easily removed from the I-Pace models and placed in racks on site, maximizing the sustainability of the project. This move is part of JLR’s ambition to create new circular economy business models in energy storage and beyond. In the future, the company also plans to reuse batteries from its current production vehicles. Once the battery health deteriorates to a level unsuitable for second-life use cases, JLR will recycle them to recover raw materials for reuse.
François Dossa, executive director of strategy and sustainability at JLR, emphasized the importance of the company’s sustainability approach, which encompasses the entire value chain of its vehicles. He stated, “Our EV batteries are engineered to the highest standards, and this innovative project, in collaboration with Wykes Engineering, proves they can be safely reused for energy sector applications to increase renewable energy opportunities.”
Reuben Chorley, JLR’s sustainable industrial operations director, highlighted the significance of developing second-life battery projects in JLR’s transition to a circular economy business model and its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2039. David Wykes, CEO of Wykes Engineering, also praised the project for its contribution to the UK’s EV ownership aspirations, stating that the BESS can absorb excess solar energy that would otherwise be lost and maximize power generation.
Overall, the partnership between JLR and Wykes Engineering to create the BESS demonstrates the automotive industry’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions and promotes the adoption of circular economy principles. By repurposing second-life batteries, JLR plays a crucial role in reducing demand on the National Grid and driving the UK towards a greener future.