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SECOND LIFE BATTERIES Fault tolerant reconfigurable battery system for stationary applications

Author / Editor: Nigel Charig / Johanna Erbacher

Automotive batteries salvaged from scrapped vehicles can serve a useful second life within a stationary battery system, provided that the battery system has a suitable, reconfigurable topology. This article describes a paper presented at the PCIM Europe Digital Days 2020, which explains the challenges of using second life batteries, and proposes a solution.

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Demand for stationary battery systems is rising, while at the same time it is predicted that the growing market for electric vehicles will generate an increasing supply of "used" car batteries. Most of these batteries can have a useful second life within a stationary battery application, provided they are installed in a suitable Battery Electric Storage System (BESS).
Demand for stationary battery systems is rising, while at the same time it is predicted that the growing market for electric vehicles will generate an increasing supply of "used" car batteries. Most of these batteries can have a useful second life within a stationary battery application, provided they are installed in a suitable Battery Electric Storage System (BESS).
(Source: gemeinfrei / Pixabay )

As we move towards decarbonising the energy sector, the demand for stationary battery systems is increasing. At the same time, the growing Electric Vehicle (EV) market is predicted to generate an increasing supply of ‘used’ automotive batteries. Most of these can serve a useful second life within a stationary battery application, provided they are installed within a suitable Battery Electric Storage System (BESS).

However, conventional BESSs have a fixed topology where the weakest cell determines the overall performance. Therefore, if batteries from different cars, with different usage patterns and varying properties, are combined, the system’s lifetime, capacity and reliability are reduced.

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