Nine EV batteries power up in south Auckland test
Nine repurposed Nissan Leaf batteries are being tested for power storage by electricity distributor Counties Power in association with Australian battery technology company Relectrify.
They say the project is New Zealand’s largest battery system repurposing EV batteries to date, combining them with Relectrify’s BMS+Inverter technology to store more than 120kWh of energy.
Other international power utility and automotive collaborators are participating in this pilot to validate the technology for use in key overseas markets.
Already in operation in Counties Power’s utility testing lab providing 380-415V three-phase peak-shaving, the battery system will be installed on a priority site on Counties Power’s network where it could provide redundancy, flexibility and resiliency for customers in a remote rural area.
This highlights the value that cost-effective batteries can unlock to provide reliable, affordable power in isolated communities and power grids more broadly, the company says.
“The potential of cost-effective sustainable storage solutions on electricity distribution networks is immense as EV uptake expands exponentially and so too does the supply of low-cost EV batteries for second-life applications,” Counties Power strategy and business development general manager Vivek Rajendran says.
“EV batteries with less than 80% of their original state of health are retired by manufacturers which presents an ideal opportunity for a second-life application such as network support.
“Relectrify’s technology unlocks a unique combination of strong performance and low price point with low environmental impact which aligns perfectly with Counties Power’s focus on enabling a smarter, sustainable and future-ready power network.”
Relectrify’s BMS+Inverter technology was launched earlier this year. Alongside its capability to extend battery lifetime and reduce electronics cost for large battery packs with lithium-ion or alternative chemistries, Relectrify’s technology avoids the need for manual battery sorting to repurpose retired EV batteries at scale.
“While already in significant use in commercial and industrial storage, this install further proves our technology’s suitability for utility storage,” Relectrify co-founder and chief executive Valentin Muenzel says.
“By increasing the lifetime and reducing the cost of both new and second-life batteries, Relectrify is leveraging our BMS+Inverter to collaborate with leading energy storage players worldwide.”
Counties Power supplies Franklin and parts of Papakura in south Auckland.
Join the conversation (2)
what happens to the batteries when they can no longer be repurposed?
I feel this article did not say very much. I own a leaf 2015 model d and now its maximum charge is about 110 km still enough to get around town. What i want to know is what is involved in getting a new battery or a refurbishment and how much it will cost.- and when do do that There are a growing number of people like to me with this issue.