Second Life Lithium-Ion: Recovery, Reconfiguration and Re-use (Li.2)

Lithium batteries are central to a number of low carbon technologies such as
electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and stationary storage applications,
with their load shifting capabilities poised to play a critical role in the
dynamic and integrated energy systems of the future. With electric vehicles
now generating volume sales (\>1.26m in circulation globally), and the
earliest models now approaching end of life, opportunities surrounding
secondary applications now merit greater investigation. With high recycling
costs, and batteries still retaining 70% capacity post transport application,
there are strong economic and environmental reasons to find secondary
applications for used lithium batteries.

The 18 month Li.2 project, led by UK SME Powervault and supported by
consortium partners Loughborough University and G&P Batteries, will
investigate the processes involved in recovery and reconfiguration of second
life batteries, how these can be scaled to realise maximum efficiencies, and
deepen understanding of second life cells to evaluate potential for new
service offerings, new product offerings, and build up remanufacturing
expertise on a key commodity.